Announcements (Archive)

Board Member of the Environment Agency

Body
Environment Agency (EA)
Appointing Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Sector
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Location
Board meetings will take place at locations around the country, including London and Bristol on a regular basis
Number of Vacancies
4
Remuneration
The remuneration is £350 per day. Reasonable travel expenses are also paid. This role is non-pensionable.
Time Requirements
Four days per month, which will include preparation and participation in Board meetings, and any other responsibilities as agreed with the Chair. The Board meets approximately eight times per year and Board committees meet four times per year

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    21/01/2020

  2. Closed for Applications

    25/02/2020 at 12:00

  3. Panel Sift

    17/08/2020

  4. Final Interview Date

    14/09/2020

  5. Announcement

    03/02/2021 at 14:00

Announcement

An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.

Three new board members appointed to the Environment Agency

Environment Secretary George Eustice has appointed Dr Stewart Davies, Ines Faden da Silva and Lilli Matson to the Environment Agency Board. The appointments began on 1 February 2021 and will run for four years until 31 January 2025.

Board members provide non-executive leadership challenge and support to the Environment Agency’s executive through regular Board meetings, committees and groups. They also undertake individual lead roles on relevant issues and with local operational teams.

All appointments to the Environment Agency Board are made on merit following open competition. The appointments comply with the Ministerial Code of Governance on Public Appointments. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be declared. All three appointees have declared that they have not taken part in any significant political activity in the past five years.

Date: 03/02/2021

Assessment Panel

Panel Member
Sally Randall
Added
21/01/2020
Panel Role
Panel Chair
Positions
Director, Floods and Water Departmental Official
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Political ActivityTBC
Notes-
Panel Member
Emma Howard Boyd
Added
21/01/2020
Positions
Chair, Environment Agency Representative of Organisation
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Political ActivityNone
Notes-
Panel Member
Sir Harry Studholme
Added
21/01/2020
Positions
Former Chair, Forestry Commission Independent Member
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Political ActivityTBC
Notes-

Vacancy Description

The Secretary of State, working closely with the Chair of the Environment Agency, is seeking to appoint four new members to the Board of the Environment Agency to boost resilience and replace outgoing members.

The Secretary of State wants to attract high-calibre and forward-thinking applicants from diverse backgrounds. Applicants will need to demonstrate they are able to carry out a full range of non-executive responsibilities and have relevant skills, knowledge and expertise.

Board members have the opportunity to shape the strategic vision of the Environment Agency and think in different ways putting net zero, climate adaptation and innovative finance at the heart of its ambitions.

The Environment Agency is a place-based organisation and its Board needs to reflect the communities it represents. We welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and who can bring a regional perspective and a local understanding. We particularly welcome applications from those who can represent the West Midlands, the North West and the South West.

Board members:

• provide senior strategic leadership to help the organisation focus on creating a better place through climate resilience, the road to net zero and sustainable growth;

• provide relevant professional insight into key corporate or operational business issues;

• attend Board meetings and attend and chair Board committees;

• represent the Environment Agency externally;

• serve as a lead member for one or more of the Environment Agency’s operational areas, supporting senior staff on the delivery of national and local priorities.

The successful candidates must abide by the Nolan principles of public service and the Code of Conduct for Board Members.

Person Specification

Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the following essential criteria:

• a clear commitment to the Environment Agency’s role in protecting and improving the environment, reducing the risk to communities from flooding and coastal erosion, and promoting sustainable development;

• an ability to question, challenge constructively and influence decision-making as part of the governance of a large and complex organization;

• an ability to analyse issues at a strategic level in ways which are impartial, creative and focused on finding solutions;

• a proven ability to influence and engage a strong and diverse network of people and organisations and the ability to inspire confidence in stakeholders at all levels.

Skills

The Secretary of State is seeking to attract high-calibre applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds who can discharge the full range of non-executive responsibilities.

You may have these skills, or other areas of expertise relevant to the Environment Agency, and applications are welcomed from any candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role.

We are particularly keen to add to the Board in the following areas:

• natural environment and ecology;

• flood and coastal erosion risk management and/or the engineering industry;

• agriculture and/or land management;

• finance and investment, particularly in the private sector.

Additional Information

The Environment Agency is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England. The Environment Agency’s vision is to create better places for people and wildlife and support sustainable development. It has three main business areas:

• flood and coastal erosion risk management;

• water, land and biodiversity;

• regulation of industry.

The Environment Agency is Defra’s largest non-departmental public body, employs around 10,400 staff and has an annual budget of approximately £1.4 billion. Its staff and offices are based throughout England in 14 operational areas with head offices in Bristol and London.

Defra is responsible for the Environment Agency’s activities and provides most of its funding. The Environment Agency also works closely with other Government Departments such as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Environment Agency works with Government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and communities. Staff in local offices work closely with organisations and communities to improve the local environment and encourage sustainable development.

How to Apply

All candidates are required to complete the following forms:

• Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of Interest, Conduct and Political Activity Questionnaire)

• Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire)

Candidates should submit their CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees, together with their statement of suitability.

The statement of suitability should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max two pages please).

Your CV and statement should be returned to the following address by the closing date: 12.00 (midday) on 25 February 2020. Email to publicappts@defra.gov.uk quoting reference APPT07-19.

For further information about the role please contact Beth de Gatacre: beth.degatacre@environment-agency.gov.uk