Appointment details

Chair of the Environment Agency (EA)

Summary

• Organisation: Environment Agency
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Business, Change Management, Commercial, Communication, Technology / Digital, Major Projects, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per week
• Remuneration: £100,000 per annum
• Length of term: 4 Years
• Application deadline: Midday on 6 August 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   2 July 2026

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 6 August 2026

3. Sifting date

   17 August 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   1 October 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Environment Agency is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England, and its vision is to create better places for people and wildlife and support sustainable development. 

The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife and supports sustainable development. It has a critical role in delivering some of the Government’s biggest priorities, including supporting growth through its planning and permitting functions; protecting communities from flooding and environmental harm; and tackling waste crime. 

Introduction from the Minister

Dear Candidate, 

Thank you for your interest in applying to the role of Chair of the Environment Agency (EA). 

The EA was established in 1996 to protect and improve the environment and support sustainable development. It works to create better places for people and wildlife and protects people, homes, and businesses from environmental incidents and pollution. The EA has a crucial role in enabling and supporting this government’s mission-led approach to delivering economic growth, clean energy and environmental restoration together. This is a very exciting time to lead the EA. 

The EA has a critical role in delivering some of the government’s biggest priorities, including supporting sustainable growth through its planning and permitting functions, enabling investment in infrastructure through its multi-billion pound flood and coastal erosion defence programme, improving climate change resilience, and supporting nature’s recovery such as tackling the blight of waste crime. The EA Chair will provide overall leadership and strategic vision for the EA Board.

We are seeking someone with a proven ability to lead complex, high-profile organisations, while maintaining high-quality services and inspiring teams. You will be ready to lead and inspire the EA in becoming a digitally led regulator, and improving regulatory effectiveness. You must be committed to aligning the EA’s objectives with the government’s broader economic growth agenda and have a clear understanding of regulation’s role in supporting sustainable growth. 

The EA will have a significant role to play in working with Government and other regulators to reform the water system. I am looking for someone who can drive strategic direction in line with a pivotal and meaningful vision. To do this successfully, you will need to enjoy building strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders while balancing support and constructive challenge to the organisation. You will also have experience of effective decision making in complex environments and critically analysing evidence to make recommendations. This is an opportunity to lead a modern, responsive regulator that works in partnership with business, communities and government to get things done. 

You will also need to be committed to upholding integrity and transparency. The core Department and stakeholders rely on the EA to provide impartial expert advice and operational delivery at arms-length. You will need to support the organisation to maintain the confidence of ministers, and exercise independent judgment.

If you have experience of large-scale delivery, a genuine passion for environmental protection and good commercial and financial acumen including on driving efficiency, this may be the leadership role for you.

I particularly encourage applications from talented people of all backgrounds and regions to ensure the EA’s Board reflects our diverse society and takes an inclusive and equitable approach. I look forward to receiving applications from a broad range of candidates who can offer the expertise and leadership needed to guide the EA at this critical time.

EMMA REYNOLDS MP

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Appointment description

This role requires a clear understanding of the Environment Agency’s work, priorities and challenges, and the context within which it operates. 

As Chair, you will: 

• Provide leadership and strategic vision for the Board of the Environment Agency, embedding a strong organisational culture which is innovative, empowering and collaborative, and embraces technology, digital innovation and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence 

• Lead the EA at a time of significant change, working with Government and other regulators to support the creation of a new integrated water regulator, while ensuring the EA delivers effectively through this period of change.  

• Improve the environment while supporting growth by ensuring the Environment Agency is an efficient, impactful and digitally led regulator. This includes protecting and improving the environment through effective regulation while supporting sustainable development and the Government’s growth mission. 

• Ensure the implementation of the Environment Agency’s Strategic Policy Statement and Growth Goals. 

• Ensure the EA delivers its critical functions within a constrained fiscal environment, by driving a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency across the organisation.  

• Command the confidence of Ministers across Government and a wide range of public, private and third sector partners. 

• Ensure the Environment Agency provides excellent customer service.  

• Be a visible leader and strong representative of the Environment Agency.

Organisation description

The Environment Agency 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 13,000 staff and has an annual.

budget of approximately £1.7 billion. Its staff and offices are based throughout England in 15 operational areas with head offices in Bristol and London.

Having been established in 1996, the Environment Agency has been protecting and improving the environment for over 20 years. Its remit covers about 13 million hectares of land, 22,000 miles of river, 3,100 miles of coastline and 2 million hectares of coastal waters.

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 Energy, Security & Net Zero and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

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. 

Further information about the Environment Agency can be found on GOV.UK

Person specification

Essential criteria

1. Strategic Leadership 

 A strong track record in senior leadership roles (Executive or Non-Executive), alongside a proven record of delivery within a large or complex organisation or business, or of delivery on a national scale within the private, public or voluntary sectors. The ability to provide visible, credible leadership for a high-profile organisation operating under public, parliamentary and media scrutiny. 

2. Change Management 

The ability to set strategic vision and drive forward priorities of high-profile organisations under scrutiny, driving change while maintaining high-quality services and inspiring diverse teams. This includes working effectively with Government and other regulators through significant organisational and regulatory change. 

3. Stakeholder Engagement 

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers, Senior Government officials, external stakeholders and other regulators. The ability to work collaboratively with the non-executive board, Chief Executive Officer and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.  

4. Judgement 

Effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives.  

5. Commercial and Financial Acumen 

A commercial mindset. An understanding or experience of public sector finances or the financial management of a large organisation, and an ability to drive efficiency across the organisation. An understanding of and demonstrable experience in economic policy, regulation and/or infrastructure development to support the Government’s ambition to deliver economic growth in balance with environmental protections. 

6. Integrity and Governance

A commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and impartiality while maintaining the confidence of Ministers and stakeholders and exercising independent judgement. Able to ensure effective governance and promote accountability.

7. Knowledge

A clear understanding of the Environment Agency’s work, priorities, challenges, and the context in which it operates, including its role in protecting and enhancing the environment. 

Application and selection process

About this appointment

Some public appointments are made by the Prime Minister, or the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Others are made by Secretaries of State or other ministers and are of interest to the Prime Minister.

Public appointments made by or of interest to the Prime Minister

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.  

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Defra on this appointment.  For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit https://roles.saxbam.com  - using code OBRZP. Alternatively email Maria.Dodson@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 6 August. 

To apply, all candidates must provide:

• equality information

• information relating to any outside interests or potential reputational issues 

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• a supporting statement

• a short professional biography (150 words) 

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate. 

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

David Hill – Departmental Official

Director General for Strategy and Water

David Hill has no political activity to declare.

Christine Farnish – Independent Panel Member

Senior Independent Panel Member - Chair of the Money Advice Trust

Christine Farnish has no political activity to declare.

Dan Corry – Additional Panel Member

Defra Non-Executive Director

Dan Corry has no political activity to declare.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Pre-appointment scrutiny

Pre-appointment scrutiny by select committees is an important part of the process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny to verify that the recruitment meets the principles set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments. This scrutiny may involve the relevant select committee requesting and reviewing information from the Department and the Minister’s preferred candidate. The select committee may also choose to hold a pre-appointment hearing.

If you are confirmed as the government’s preferred candidate for this role, the department will be in touch to confirm next steps. In most cases your name and CV will be provided to the relevant select committee in advance of the hearing.  Following a date being agreed for a pre-appointment hearing with the committee you will be asked to complete a questionnaire in advance of that. Following the hearing, the government will review and respond to the Committee’s report before confirming the appointment. 

Full information can be found in the Cabinet Office’s guidance here. 

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact Andrew.Morris2@defra.gov.uk  

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying.

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the public appointments team if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at PublicAppts@defra.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Attachments

• 1_Environment Agency Chair candidate pack

• 2_PAT-Privacy Notice

• 3_PAT Guidance Notes

Contact details

For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit https://roles.saxbam.com - using code OBRZP. Alternatively email Maria.Dodson@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 6 August.