Meet the National Park team…Ali Fordham
April 24, 2025
We catch up with Alison Fordham, Executive Support Officer for Tim Slaney, the Director of Planning at the National Park Authority.
Three words that sum up your job?
Only three? Impossible!
What’s your role?
I’m the Executive Support Officer for Tim Slaney, the Director of Planning. I form part of the Executive Support Team and together we assist the Senior Leadership Team, Chair & Deputy of the Authority.
What appealed to you about working for a National Park?
I spent 15 years in estate agency and was fascinated by the possibilities when it came to property and land development. I got to see the process from the point of permission through to the end result; now I get to see how our incredible planning team handle early ideas and concepts, and take those through to a decision.
Can you describe your typical day?
No two days are the same, which certainly keep things interesting. I never know what’s going to come through my inbox or what tasks/challenges are heading my way. Calendar management plays a large part of my role, and it can often feel like playing Tetris trying to make calendars align. It’s a good thing I was a big Game Boy fan back in the day and enjoy a challenge….
Best thing about working for a National Park?
Knowing that I get to play even a tiny part in helping to shape the Park and how it will look for future generations is a great feeling.
What do you love about the South Downs National Park?
The sense of ‘home’ – there are so many beautiful places in the UK, but there’s something about the sight of the Downs when you’re driving back towards them that feels so welcoming!
Have you got any hobbies?
I do a lot of cake making, which can be really enjoyable and almost relaxing – except in July when most of my family birthdays fall and I have a lot of cakes to make in the space of a few weeks. Buttercream in the summer is neither enjoyable nor relaxing.
Currently reading/watching?
I’ve just finished reading ‘Good Bad Girl’ by Alice Feeney. If you like a good plot twist, you should absolutely give her books a try. ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ and ‘I Know Who You Are’ are equally brilliant, I couldn’t put them down. As a contrast, we’re watching ‘Last One Laughing’ – it’s completely childish, but watching people trying not to laugh is so funny.
Dream holiday destination and why?
Bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee in Florida – my husband loves fishing and I love the sunshine, it’s the perfect match.
Describe your perfect day (when not working, of course!)
I love Sundays. They usually start with my husband bringing me a cup of tea in bed at around 6am before he goes fishing, then it’s a lazy breakfast followed by a long walk somewhere in the Park with our dog, Poppy. It’s hard to tell, but I promise she enjoys those walks more than her face lets on! During the afternoon, I’ll read whilst she sleeps on my feet. The day ends with a roast dinner before we crash on the sofa to watch something on Netflix. We’ve just welcomed, Charlie, a cocker spaniel puppy, into the family, so weekends might look a little different for a while, but I’m really looking forward to getting him out and about in the Park. (feature image shows one of Ali’s favourite views from The Trundle)
