Environmental volunteering charity BTCV has appointed one of the UK’s foremost marketing experts as its new chair.

Rita Clifton, UK chairman of high-profile brand consultancy Interbrand, will take up the post on 1 April, succeeding Rupert Evenett who has held the position since 2005.

Clifton is also a trustee of WWF and a member of the government’s Sustainable Development Commission.  In her career she has been chief executive of Interbrand, vice chair of Saatchi & Saatchi and is still president of the Market Research Society.  She has also sat on the boards of Bupa and Emap plc.

During Evenett’s tenure as chair, BTCV’s income has grown more than 40 per cent.

Clifton said: “Having been involved in environmental and sustainability issues for over 25 years, I strongly believe that we need the kind of positive, hands-on approach that BTCV brings to people and communities.  I am very much looking forward to being involved.”