Alison McLean is currently an independent consultant specialising in rural policy and regeneration.  Her client list includes local authorities, regional government and local and regional voluntary organisations. Alison was formerly Director of the Rural Regeneration Zone in the West Midlands. 

Previously she pursued a career of over 20 years in local government, initially in London and then in the West Midlands and the West of England, with responsibilities for community and economic development and for a variety of regeneration programmes. 

Alison is the Vice-Chair of the West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum and a Commissioner with the Commission for Rural Communities.  She is also non-executive Director of New Theatre Works.