Environment Agency

About the Organisation

The Environment Agency is the leading public body responsible for protecting and improving the environment across England. Sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), it plays a vital role in flood and coastal risk management, environmental regulation, biodiversity, water management and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Employing over 13,000 people with an annual budget of approximately £1.7 billion, the Environment Agency is one of the UK's largest public bodies and is at the forefront of tackling climate change, improving environmental resilience and enabling sustainable infrastructure development.

The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen to appoint a Chair to lead the Board of the Environment Agency during a significant period of organisational and regulatory change.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and Government, the Chair will provide strategic leadership, strong governance and independent oversight while helping shape the future direction of one of the UK's most influential public organisations.

The successful candidate will guide the organisation through major transformation, including environmental regulation reform, water sector change and the continued development of a modern, digitally enabled regulator.

Key Responsibilities

Board Leadership & Governance

• Lead the Board and promote effective governance, accountability and decision-making.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight across the organisation.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative and high-performing Board culture.
• Ensure effective governance, risk management and organisational performance.

Strategic Leadership

• Support delivery of the Environment Agency's strategic priorities and Government objectives.
• Oversee major transformation programmes and organisational change.
• Champion digital innovation, technology and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.
• Balance environmental protection with sustainable economic growth.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with Ministers, Government departments, regulators and external partners.
• Represent the Environment Agency at national level.
• Maintain public confidence through visible leadership and effective communication.

Financial & Organisational Oversight

• Provide oversight of financial performance and value for money.
• Support continuous improvement, operational efficiency and organisational resilience.
• Ensure effective delivery within a complex public sector environment.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Significant Board or Chair-level leadership experience within a large or complex organisation.
• Proven track record of leading strategic change and organisational transformation.
• Strong governance, commercial and financial oversight experience.
• Experience working with Government, regulators or other complex stakeholder environments.
• Ability to lead high-profile organisations operating under public and media scrutiny.

Desirable Experience

• Environmental regulation or sustainability.
• Infrastructure, utilities or public services.
• Public sector governance.
• Digital transformation and organisational modernisation.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and visionary leader.
• Strong commercial judgement and integrity.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to provide constructive challenge.
• Commitment to transparency, accountability and public service.

Remuneration & Commitment

• Remuneration: £100,000 per annum
• Time Commitment: Approximately 2.5–3 days per week
• Term: As determined by the appointing Minister