John Packman is a geographer, town planner and Chief Executive of the Broads Authority. His first job was as a town planner with Norfolk County Council.
Subsequently he carried out research for the Government at UEA and then worked for the Ministry of Works and Development based in Wellington, New Zealand.
After a period working for Hove Borough Council, he became Head of Economic Development and Regeneration for Brighton and Hove City Council where he administered a large regeneration programme for the city.
At the Broads Authority, he has overseen major change including the purchase of May Gurney’s dredging operation, the passing of a Private Bill through Parliament to improve public safety, and the delivery of a series of European projects.
The big issues for the area going forward are responding to climate change and sea level rise, biodiversity recovery and a continued focus on tourism and public safety. He is also a trustee of Future Projects.
He says: “Our ambition is to raise awareness of all the wonders of the Broads National Park, which runs into the middle of Norwich, has for its citizens. We have made some progress but there is much more to do.”