Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-designate of the Environment Agency

This is a House of Commons Committee report, with recommendations to government. The Government has two months to respond.

Second Report of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and Second Report of the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2022-23

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Contents

1 The Environment Agency

1. The Environment Agency (EA) was established in 1996 and is the lead body for the protection and improvement of the environment in England. It is Defra’s largest non-departmental public body (NDPB) with around 10,600 employees and an annual budget of around £1.4 billion - a proportion comes from charges, such as abstraction licences, and flood and coastal risk management levies, as well as government funding.1 The EA’s 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.

2. The EA’s stated vision is “to create better places for people and wildlife and support sustainable development”. The three goals of its current five-year action plan (2020–2025) are:

  • A nation resilient to climate change
  • Healthy air, land and water
  • Green growth and a sustainable future

3. The EA operates in three main business areas—industrial waste and emissions; flood and coastal erosion risk management; and water, land and biodiversity. While it is a Defra-sponsored NDPB, the Agency also works closely with other parts of government such as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The EA also works with local government, business and industry, and civil society organisations and groups.

4. The Agency’s specific responsibilities are to regulate and/or oversee:

  • emissions from heavy industry
  • waste management
  • contaminated land
  • flood and coastal erosion
  • water quality and resources
  • fisheries
  • inland river, estuary and harbour navigations, and
  • conservation and ecology.

5. Currently, the vast bulk of environmental legislation and standards applying in the UK derive from European Union law prior to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Under ‘non-regression’, the UK has undertaken not to undo, either by legislation or by lack of enforcement, the harmonised environmental standards in place at 31 December 2020.2

6. The EA remains responsible for implementing these measures—now under the framework established by the Environment Act 2021—and is accountable to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) for its performance in pursuing compliance. The EA uses consents to set the conditions with which operators—such as power stations, the chemicals industry, food and drink manufacturers, farms and the water industry itself—must all comply with, so that their activities do not adversely impact on people and the environment. It also regulates water abstraction for drinking water, irrigation and industry, commercial fisheries and licensed anglers, and boat users.

7. The EA also plays strategic and operational roles in the management of the risks and incidence of flood and coastal erosion from all sources, including rivers, the sea, groundwater, reservoirs and surface water. The EA works in partnership with local authorities, who are responsible for managing flood risk from surface water and smaller local watercourses.

8. The EA also has a role as an independent adviser on environmental matters, within government and more widely. The EA advises government on developing legislation and policy, and it is a statutory consultee for land use planning as well as advising local authorities to prevent inappropriate new development in flood plains.

2 The recruitment process

Recruitment campaign

9. The current Chair of the Environment Agency (EA), Emma Howard Boyd CBE, will step down in September 2022. A competitive recruitment process for her replacement was conducted between 24 February and 28 June 2022, with the window for applications closing on 24 March.3 To attract the widest pool of suitable candidates, a twin-track approach was taken, deploying an executive search company as well as a separate search committee formed by Defra’s own Public Appointments Team.4

10. In total there were 21 applicants for the role. Of these, seven were invited to interview: four were subsequently considered appointable. The diversity breakdown provided by the Department was as follows:

Gender

Percent Male

Percent Female

Percent Identify another way

Percent Not declared

Applicants

61.9% (13)

23.8% (5)

4.8% (1)

9.5% (2)

Shortlist (applicants invited to interview)

85.7% (6)

14.3% (1)

0%

0%

Ethnicity

Percent White

Percent Ethnic Minority

Percent Not declared

Applicants

90.5% (19)

4.8% (1)

4.8% (1)

Shortlist (applicants invited to interview)

100% (7)

0%

0%

C. Disability

Disabled

Non-disabled

Not declared

Applicants

4.8% (1)

81.0% (17)

14.2% (3)

Shortlist (applicants invited to interview)

0%

85.7% (6)

14.2% (1)

11. Defra announced on 28 June 2022 that Alan C. Lovell DL was the preferred candidate for appointment to the role of chair of the Environment Agency.5

12. The post is one of the positions to which the procedure for pre-appointment Parliamentary scrutiny applies.6 The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee held a joint hearing with the candidate on 5 July 2022.

13. Pre-appointment hearings scrutinise the quality of ministerial decision-making, which is a proper part of ministerial accountability to Parliament. Although the outcome of the hearing is not binding on the Government, a committee’s view should inform the Ministerial decision on whether to proceed with an appointment.

The Government’s preferred candidate

14. Mr Lovell has held several chairing, board level and senior executive roles in a range of companies, predominantly in the construction and renewable energy sectors. He has also served as Chair of the Consumer Council for Water.

15. Mr Lovell is currently Chairman of the Interserve Group Limited, Chairman of Safestyle UK plc (a replacement door and window supplier), Senior Independent Director, SIG plc (a distributor of construction products) and Chairman of the Association of Lloyd’s Members. The candidate’s full CV, including his voluntary roles, is available in Appendix 1.

3 The pre-appointment hearing

16. Alan Lovell gave evidence to us at a pre-appointment hearing on 5 July 2022. We questioned Mr Lovell on several areas including his motivation in applying for the role, the management of a potential conflict of interest, his professional background, his knowledge of the current challenges facing environmental regulation, and his anticipated priorities upon appointment. He was also open about areas, such as air quality, where he would need to develop his expertise.

17. We explored with Mr Lovell his views on the potential reorganisation of Defra’s public body landscape—a topic which he said he was coming to with an open mind—and were encouraged by his commitment that any restructuring should only proceed after having identified the improved environmental protection which it would deliver. We welcome his commitment to come back to us in six months with his views on what environmental benefits and efficiencies any structural reorganisation should seek to deliver.

18. We also discussed the EA’s enforcement activity. Mr Lovell promised to return to us with his view on the future shape of the EA’s enforcement activity, where there appeared to be a significant gap in his knowledge. We welcomed his commitment that this would include an exploration of the reasons behind the decrease in the rates of cautions, prosecutions and sanctions, and what actions might be needed to respond to that trend.

19. Overall, during the pre-appointment hearing Alan Lovell demonstrated relevant corporate and institutional experience and an appropriate grasp of the priorities for his proposed tenure. However, we were surprised that he had not come to more fully researched and formed views on some of the key environmental issues and challenges facing the Environment Agency.

20. We are satisfied that Alan Lovell has the professional competence and personal independence required of the Chair of the Environment Agency and that the recruitment campaign and his selection as the Government’s preferred candidate were conducted in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

21. We are content with Alan Lovell’s appointment and look forward to future robust engagement with him during his tenure as Chair of the Environment Agency—particularly on water quality, enforcement and the future of the Agency.

Appendix 1: Candidate’s curriculum vitae

Experienced Chairman of both commercial and not-for-profit enterprises. Executive career included time as Chief Executive of six companies, four in difficult financial circumstances and two in renewable energy; three of the six were listed. I now have a mixed portfolio of some listed and some charities, mostly in the heritage and culture sectors.

Current portfolio

Commercial

2019– Chairman, Interserve Group Limited

Facilities Management and Construction Group originally with £3bn turnover. Brief was to sell divisions to good owners and wind up the Group; sold FM to Mitie in December 2020, RMDK (construction equipment) in October 2021 and span out Tilbury Douglas (Construction) in May 2022. Task largely complete and role reduced to supervision of final clean-up

2018– Chairman, Safestyle UK plc

Replacement door and window supplier, no. 1 in UK. Has suffered a series of challenges including competition from a prior CEO, Covid and a cyber attack

2018 - Senior Independent Director, SIG plc

Distributor of construction products with £2.5bn turnover. Has required a new direction following previous management mistakes and is now firmly on a path to growth

2006–22 Chairman (since 2012), Association of Lloyd’s Members (ALM)

The trade association representing 700 of the 1800 Names at Lloyd’s; I am also on one of the committees of Lloyd’s itself. Retiring October 2022.

2009–22 Chairman, Progressive Energy Limited

Renewable energy with focus on CCS and hydrogen production; co-ordinator of the Hynet project, recently selected as one of two successful clusters in UK. Retiring June 2022.

Voluntary

2022– Member of Chapter of Winchester Cathedral

Lay Canon and Chair of Finance Committee

2014– Founder Chairman, Hampshire Cultural Trust

Looks after 23 arts centres and museums; required significant culture change; has been very successful, including better exhibitions, enhanced social impact and sound finances

Earlier non-executive experience

2015–2019 Chair, Consumer Council for Water

Defra arm’s length body representing consumer interests in water sector. Successes:

  • Rejuvenated Board after difficult period and, in words of the Minister, ‘providing strong leadership through a period of increased challenge for the sector’
  • Secured favourable (to consumers) price review in 2019
  • Continued trend of reducing complaints in the sector
  • Helped to drive water companies to increase support for vulnerable customers
  • Challenged water companies to do more about leakage

2007–2016 Council Member, Lloyd’s of London

RemCo member from 2010 and Audit from 2014

2018–2019 NED, Amey Birmingham Highways and Amey UK

Helping to resolve contract breakdown and financial challenges

2017–2018 NED and Chair, Restructuring Committee, Carillion plc

On board for last 10 weeks of Carillion, nearly succeeding with a rescue package

2017–2018 Chairman, Flowgroup plc

Holding company of one of the challenger mid-scale utilities. In difficult times for the sector, task was to sell the Energy subsidiary (to Co-op Energy) and wind down the plc

2016 - 2017 Chairman, Sepura plc

Professional radio business which ran into severe financial trouble and was ultimately successfully sold to a Chinese competitor.

2014–2016 SID, Sweett Group plc

Construction Services Group, listed on AIM, rescued from a number of problems and sold successfully to a competitor at an uplifted price

1990–2006 Three NHS roles as NED and Vice Chair of a Health Authority, Hospital Trust and PCT

Acting Chair of PCT for four months; Chair of Audit Committees

Earlier executive career

2011–2013 Tamar Energy Limited

Chairman and Chief Executive

The most ambitious player in anaerobic digestion in UK, with five plants in operation

Achievements were:

  • Raised £97m in initial equity capital
  • Built a team of 50 high grade individuals
  • Acquired and integrated a complementary composting business

2006–2009 Infinis Limited

Chief Executive

UK’s No 2 renewable energy business, with 190MW output from landfill gas, moving into wind, biomass and other renewable opportunities; owned by Terra Firma.

  • De-merged the business from its waste management parent
  • Acquired and integrated a 40 MW landfill gas company
  • Acquired Scottish land rights with 10-12 wind/biomass project opportunities
  • Grew EBITDA from £42m to £75m; exit value £800m
  • Infinis listed as a FT-SE 250 in 2013.

2004–2006 Jarvis plc

Chief Executive

Engineering and construction business specialising in track renewal, electrical projects, railway plant and road safety products. Over ambitious foray into PFI and other factors had pushed company to brink of collapse. £610m losses in two years to March 2005 and debt of £350m.

Led the financial restructuring including disposal of Tube Lines interests and a £375m debt for equity swap. Also led the operational improvements including £55m annual cost savings and broadening of customer base away from Network Rail. Jarvis was on budget and made £11m operating profit in the year to March 2006.

1997–2004 Dunlop Slazenger Group

Finance Director, then Chief Executive

Global sporting goods business with 2,000 employees and a £200m turnover. Trading subsidiaries in Europe, USA and Far East, and manufacturing in the Philippines and the USA. I joined as part of the new senior management team to rescue an overpriced MBO and to maximise returns to the banking syndicate owning the business. This sale and return of investment was completed in January 2004.

To achieve the turnaround and sale, we rejuvenated the brands after a period of chronic under-investment (highlight: three semi-finalists and both finalists in the 2002 Australian Open); radically improved business processes and systems; reduced manufacturing plants from seven to two (in US and Philippines); and created a single European business with regional sales units.

My key contributions were two financial restructurings, the sale of the Maxfli brand to adidas for $75m and leading the exit sale process. Overall result was a turnaround from a loss of £20m in 1999 to profit of £8.2m in 2004.

1992–1997 Costain Group PLC

Finance Director, then Chief Executive

£1 billion turnover international contracting company with coal mining interests in the USA. 10,000 employees. Incurred £340m losses in 1991 and 1992 due to real estate and other write-offs. Gearing 440% at Dec 2012.

Appointed on advice of the company’s bankers. Principal achievements were:

  • The elimination of net debt from a peak of £450m
  • The introduction of Malaysian and Middle Eastern shareholders
  • The above budget profitability of five of the six divisions by 1996
  • Significant culture change from which the company still benefits

1989–1992 Conder Group PLC

Finance Director then Chief Executive

£300m turnover contractor specialising in structural steelwork and business parks in UK and USA. Problem contracts and acquisitions pre-1989 required emergency corporate recovery role.

Specific achievements included sale of six subsidiaries for £20m and eight properties for over £6m, drastic cost-cutting in operating companies (by 50%) and Head Office (by 75%), restoration of Group morale and re-invigoration of sales/marketing function.

1980–1989 The Plessey Company plc

Various finance and general management roles

£1.5 bn telecommunications and defence electronics company.

A variety of financial and general management roles including project manager of an export defence radar contract, Group Chief Accountant and an 18 month secondment to the M&A Department of Kleinwort Benson.

1976–1980 Price Waterhouse & Company

Qualified as a Chartered Accountant with all first time passes; specialised in tax for a year

Charitable work

Current portfolio

2012–Date Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire

2022–Date Lay Canon and Chair of Finance Committee, Winchester Cathedral

2014–Date Founder Chairman, Hampshire Cultural Trust

A new Trust set up to take over two Councils’ arts centres and museums. This has been a terrific success with upgraded exhibitions and other visitor offerings, a massive increase in social impact and a successful commercial and financial performance which has enabled £1m investment back in the 26 venues

2013 - Date Patron, Blue Apple Theatre

Professional theatre for young people with severe learning difficulties

Earlier roles

2008–2022 Trustee of Winchester Cathedral

Completed £22m appeal for ‘Birth of a nation’

2006–2021 Trustee, former Appeal Chairman and from 2015 Chairman, Mary Rose Trust

Led £42 million appeal for a new museum, opened May 2013; negotiated new partnership agreement with NMRN

2011–2021 Governor, University of Winchester; Chair from 1 August 2016

University grew numbers each year, won awards for student engagement and satisfaction, had excellent reputation for environmental programmes and sustainability; completed a £48m new building and ended with small net cash balances

2010–2011 High Sheriff of Hampshire

2008–2017 Member of Cathedral Council, Winchester

2010–2016 Founder Chairman, Blue Lamp Trust

1999–2004 Governor, Southern Theological Education and Training School

1990–1997 Governor, Malvern College

Education and membership of professional bodies

MA (Oxon) Classics–First

Chartered Accountant (FCA)

Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA)

Appendix 2: Candidate’s declaration of interests

Declaration of relevant interests made by the candidate

  • Chair and shareholder in Progressive Energy, which is the co-ordinator of HyNet, one of the two clusters selected by HMG for Carbon capture and storage and hydrogen production.
  • I consider that this represents a potential conflict of interest that should be disclosed, but is manageable with the following actions:
    • I will stand down as chair of Progressive Energy with effect from 30 June 2022 and
    • I will recuse myself from EA discussions/decisions that create, or could be perceived to create, a conflict of interest
    • I understand such discussions/decisions represent a very small proportion of the work of the EA Board.

Declaration of relevant political activity made by the candidate required under paragraph 9.2 of the Governance Code on Public Appointments

  • None

Appendix 3: Role specification, diversity information, and recruitment campaign

DEFRA: role description, accountabilities and appointment criteria

See

https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1_Environment-Agency_Chair_Candidate-Pack.pdf

Role specification

As EA Chair, you will:

  • provide overall leadership and strategic vision for the Board of the Environment Agency
  • understand the environment and its importance to everyone
  • improve the environment and grow the rural economy and business
  • be able to balance priorities and command confidence and respect at the highest level with Ministers across Government and partners
  • promote a positive and constructive relationship with everyone that works with the Environment Agency including local government and local communities, business and industry and other interest groups
  • ensure excellent customer service, and be a visible leader
  • Strong leadership in the context of change and transition will be essential while maintaining a clear focus, ensuring business continuity, and delivering the Environment Agency’s priorities within a tight fiscal period.

Principal Accountabilities

  • Responsibility to the Secretary of State for the overall leadership, direction, and effectiveness of the Environment Agency, ensuring that its policies and actions are in line with Government’s strategic priorities and its affairs are conducted with probity.
  • Be a visible leader, particularly during emergencies [link added], and, alongside the Chief Executive, represent the Environment Agency to Parliament and Government Ministers, senior representatives of partner organisations. You will represent the EA in the media, promoting excellent relations, explaining the Environment Agency’s work to a range of audiences.
  • Chair the Board and manage the business of the Board: ensure that Board membership, in terms of its composition and capability, is aligned with the challenges facing the organisation; ensure that performance of individual members of the Board and its committees is evaluated annually; and ensure the effective utilisation of the skills of Board members, both individually and in teams.
  • Ensure that the Board has accurate and clear financial information, is aware of and can demonstrate achievements, understands the cost and benefits of what the Agency does, and is advised of future developments and trends.
  • Ensure the EA fulfils its legal duties, provides excellent services to its customers, and delivers its various tasks on behalf of the government and the country at large.
  • Ensure that each person in the organisation and board feels valued and respected, and that the diversity of the organisation represents the communities it serves.
  • Hold the Chief Executive and the rest of the Environment Agency executive to account for delivery and provide constructive challenge on their decisions and performance.
  • Responsible to the Secretary of State who will assess performance annually.
  • Be an ex officio member of the Defra Board.

Essential criteria

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

1. Experience in the strategic leadership of a complex, high-profile organisation under media, political and stakeholder scrutiny, particularly through periods of change.

2. The ability to develop collaborative and productive relationships–with board members, senior leadership, ministers, and colleagues in other organisations.

3. Excellent communication skills, judgement, discretion, and political sensitivity.

4. The capability to ensure effective strategic oversight and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects.

5. A demonstrable commitment to protect and enhance the environment.

Conduct

Successful candidates must abide by the Nolan principles of public service, the Code of Conduct for Board Members and demonstrate the 12 Principles of Governance for all Public Body NEDs.

Remuneration & tenure

The remuneration for the role is £100,000 for a time commitment of 3½ days a week. Expenses are payable for expenditure reasonably and necessarily incurred on behalf of the Environment Agency and in accordance with the travel and expenses policy. The appointment is expected to be for three or four years. In accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, Ministers may extend the terms of public appointees for a second or third term.

Recruitment diversity information

Gender

Percent Male

Percent Female

Percent Identify another way

Percent Not declared

Applicants

61.9% (13)

23.8% (5)

4.8% (1)

9.5% (2)

Shortlist (applicants invited to interview)

85.7% (6)

14.3% (1)

0%

0%

Ethnicity

Percent White

Percent Ethnic Minority

Percent Not declared

Applicants

90.5% (19)

4.8% (1)

4.8% (1)

Shortlist (applicants invited to interview)

100% (7)

0%

0%

C. Disability

Disabled

Non-disabled

Not declared

Applicants

4.8% (1)

81.0% (17)

14.2% (3)

Shortlist (applicants invited to interview)

0%

85.7% (6)

14.2% (1)

Formal minutes

Tuesday 5 July 2022

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environmental Audit Committees met concurrently, pursuant to Standing Order No. 137A.

Members present

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Ian Byrne

Barry Gardiner

Sir Robert Goodwill

Dr Neil Hudson

Mrs Sheryll Murray

Environmental Audit Committee

Duncan Baker

Philip Dunne

Barry Gardiner

Sir Robert Goodwill

James Gray

Caroline Lucas

Jerome Mayhew

Dr Matthew Offord

Claudia Webbe

Sir Robert Goodwill was called to the Chair (Standing Order No.137A(1)(d)).

Draft Report (Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-designate of the Environment Agency) proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the Chair’s draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.

Papers were appended to the Report as Appendices 1 to 3.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

The Environmental Audit Committee withdrew.

Sir Robert Goodwill, in the Chair.

Members present

Ian Byrne

Barry Gardiner

Dr Neil Hudson

Mrs Sheryll Murray

Draft Report (Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-designate of the Environment Agency) proposed by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee, brought up and read.

Resolved, That the Report be the Second Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 137A(2) (Committees working together; joint reports) may be applied to the Report.

Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

Adjournment

Adjourned till Tuesday 12 July 2022 at 2.00 p.m.

Environmental Audit Committee

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee withdrew.

Philip Dunne, in the Chair.

Members present

Duncan Baker

Barry Gardiner

Sir Robert Goodwill

James Gray

Caroline Lucas

Jerome Mayhew

Dr Matthew Offord

Claudia Webbe

Draft Report (Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-designate of the Environment Agency) proposed by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee, brought up and read.

Resolved, That the Report be the Second Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Goodwill make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 137A(2) (Committees working together; joint reports) may be applied to the Report.

Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

Adjournment

Adjourned till Wednesday 6 July 2022 at 2.00 p.m.


Witnesses

The following witnesses gave evidence. Transcripts can be viewed on the inquiry publications page of the Committee’s website.

Tuesday 05 July 2022

Alan Lovell DL, Government’s preferred candidate, Chair of the Environment Agency Q1–63

List of Reports from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee during the current Parliament

All publications from the Committee are available on the publications page of the Committee’s website.

Session 2022-23

Number

Title

Reference

1st

Australia FTA: Food and Agriculture

HC 23

Session 2021–22

Number

Title

Reference

1st

Moving animals across borders

HC 79

2nd

Environmental Land Management and the agricultural transition

HC 78

3rd

Tree planting

HC 356

4th

Labour shortages in the food and farming sector

HC 713

5th

Pre-appointment Hearing: Chair of Ofwat

HC 1253

Session 2019–21

Number

Title

Reference

1st

COVID-19 and food supply

HC 263

2nd

Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-Designate of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)

HC 1042

3rd

The UK’s new immigration policy and the food supply chain

HC 231

4th

Flooding

HC 170

5th

Air Quality and coronavirus: a glimpse of a different future or business as usual

HC 468

6th

Public Sector Procurement of Food

HC 469

7th

Covid-19 and the issues of security in food supply

HC 1156

8th

Seafood and meat exports to the EU

HC 1189

List of Reports from the Environmental Audit Committee during the current Parliament

All publications from the Committee are available on the publications page of the Committee’s website.

Session 2022-23

Number

Title

Reference

1st

Building to net zero: costing carbon in construction

HC 103

Session 2021-22

Number

Title

Reference

1st

Biodiversity in the UK: bloom or bust?

HC 136

2nd

The UK’s footprint on global biodiversity

HC 674

3rd

Green Jobs

HC 75

4th

Water quality in rivers

HC 74

5th

Greening imports: a UK carbon border approach

HC 737

Session 2019-21

Number

Title

Reference

1st

Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy

HC 220

2nd

Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-Designate of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)

HC 1042

3rd

Growing back better: putting nature and net zero at the heart of the economic recovery

HC 347

4th

Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes

HC 346


Footnotes

1 Environment Agency, How we’ll use the money we have for the people we serve, 15 March 2022

2 White and Case, Environmental law after Brexit, 2021

3 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environment Agency, Appointment of the Chair of the Environment Agency: Briefing pack for applicants, 24 February 2022

4 The search committee comprised senior leaders from within the Defra group and wider key stakeholders, who were encouraged to recommend potential candidates. Existing networks and social media were also used to promote the vacancy.

5 “Alan Lovell announced as preferred Environment Agency Chair candidate”, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environment Agency, 28 June 2022

6 The full list is: Chair of the Environment Agency; Chair of Natural England; Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection; and Chair of the Water Services Regulatory Authority (Ofwat).