# Simon Jenkins to be new chairman of the National Trust - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/07/simon-jenkins-be-new-chairman-national-trust/ - Published: 2008-07-07T07:24:13+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake Journalist and author Simon Jenkins has been appointed as the next chairman of the National Trust. He succeeds Sir William Proby and will take up the three-year appointment in November. ⌊Simon Jenkins - photo: Dan Chung⌉A former editor of The Times and the London Evening Standard, Jenkins has long championed conservation causes. He founded the Railway Heritage Trust, was a founder member of SAVE Britain’s Heritage and the Thirties Society, and has worked to protect the London skyline. He was deputy chairman of English Heritage and a Millennium Commissioner and today chairs the trust publishing the Pevsner guides. His books [England’s Thousand Best Houses](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Englands-Thousand-Houses-Simon-Jenkins/dp/0141006250/219) and [England’s Thousand Best Churches](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Englands-Thousand-Churches-Simon-Jenkins/dp/0140297952/219) have been bestsellers. He is now writing a book on the buildings of Wales. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) He claims to have visited every one of the Trust’s houses in England and Wales. Dame Fiona Reynolds, the Director General, said: "This is a terrific appointment for the Trust. Simon is a hugely respected public figure with a deep understanding of what we do and a passion to move it forward. He will be a powerful advocate for our work and we all look forward to welcoming him." The National Trust now has over 3.6 million members, and over 50,000 volunteers. www.nationaltrust.org.uk * **[Mamma Mia! screening raises £6,940 for HFT](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/15/mamma-mia-screening-raises-6940-hft/)**( 15 July 2008) * **[Fiona Fullerton receives generous donation from the Hospital Saturday Fund](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/16/fiona-fullerton-receives-generous-donation-hospital-saturday-fund/)**( 16 July 2008) * **[Celebrity mums support Yummy Mummy week for children with cancer](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/17/celebrity-mums-support-yummy-mummy-week-children-cancer/)**( 17 July 2008)