Palace accolade for the CLA’s regional director

Miss Fairburn was recognised in the New Year 2011 Honours List for her services to rural affairs in Yorkshire and The Humber.

She received her honour from the Prince of Wales.

She said: “It was a marvellous occasion and I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss local rural issues with the Prince of Wales, who has close links to the region as the Patron of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

“I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to receive this award on behalf of the great team I work with at the CLA.”

A farmer’s daughter from the North York Moors, where her brothers still farm, Miss Fairburn has clocked up more than 30 years’ service to the rural economy since graduating from the University of London with a degree in agriculture.

She qualified as a rural practice chartered surveyor (land agent) whilst working for Savills in London and York, dealing with sales and purchases of country houses and estates as well as the management of investment estates for financial institutions.

Prior to joining the CLA, Dorothy worked for the National Trust in Yorkshire.