NEWS RELEASE
Date: 8 May 2008
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Chris Smith appointed as new Chair of the Environment Agency
Lord Smith of Finsbury has been appointed as the new Chair of the Environment Agency. He replaces Sir John Harman, who stands down at the end of June after eight years.
Lord Smith, currently Chair of the independent Advertising Standards Authority and former Cabinet Minister, will in future be responsible for ensuring that the Environment Agency is able to deliver its objectives in key areas such as flood defence and the protection of the environment. Lord Smith is expected to take up his position from 14 July 2008.
Hilary Benn, Defra Secretary of State, said:
“I am delighted that Chris Smith has agreed to become Chair of the Environment Agency. This is a crucial time for the Agency, with the Pitt Review of the Summer 2007 floods due to be published in July and the ever increasing focus on protecting the environment and tackling climate change.
“Chris’s strong leadership experience and his long-term commitment to the environment make him the ideal person to take the Agency forward in its role as environmental regulator, operator and advisor.
“On behalf of my ministerial team I would like to congratulate Sir John Harman on his tremendous contribution to the work of the Agency, as a founder board member in 1996, Deputy Chair in 1999 and Chair since 2000. He has overseen the Agency’s development into a modern and efficient regulator and a valued and influential advisor. He leaves it as a robust organisation that is willing and able to meet the challenges it faces in the years to come.”
Lord Smith said:
“I have been committed to raising the profile of environmental issues for more than twenty years, during which time the environment has risen to become one of the top priorities for Government and the public. I am looking forward to leading the Environment Agency at a challenging time as it takes practical steps both to protect the environment and adapt to climate change.”
Notes to editors
1. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body, set up under the Environment Act 1995 to take an integrated approach to environmental protection and enhancement in England and Wales. It has major responsibilities for management and regulation of the water environment, and for controlling industrial pollution and waste.
2. The Chair and board members are responsible for the strategic direction of the Agency and holding the executive to account, ensuring that the organisation meets its objectives. The Chair and 14 board members are all appointed by Ministers (including 1 member appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government) and the appointments are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. The Agency has a staff of approximately 12,000 staff and its operating budget is just over £1bn pa. More details about the Environment Agency’s functions are available on the Agency’s website www.environment-agency.gov.uk. Sir John Harman has served as Chair for two full terms (plus a short 6 month extension) and steps down after over 8 years in this demanding role.
3. Lord (Chris) Smith was elected as a councillor for Islington in 1978. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1983 as MP for Islington South and Finsbury and was appointed to the Environment Select Committee. His Private Members Bill – the Environment and Safety Information Act – became law in 1988. In the 1990s, he served two years as shadow spokesman on environment protection. From 1997-2001 he was a member of the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. He was appointed to the House of Lords after standing down as an MP in 2005. Lord Smith founded the Clore Leadership Programme in 2003 and was appointed Chair of the Advertising Standards Authority in 2007. He was also President of the SERA from 1992-2007. He has held two previous Ministerial appointments, as member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (2001-04) and member of Committee of Privy Councillors reviewing terrorism legislation (2002/3), both of which were unpaid. He has recently stepped down as President of the Ramblers’ Association, a position he held for the last 4 years. As Chair of the Environment Agency, he will receive £102,000 per year for a time commitment of approximately 3 days per week.
4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. In accordance with the original Nolan Recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. In addition to his role as an MP, Lord Smith canvassed and spoke on behalf of Labour candidates in the 2005 election. On taking up his appointment Lord Smith will resign the Labour Whip and sit on the cross-benches in the House of Lords.
5. The recruitment process is regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) and was conducted in accordance with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice and involved an independent assessor from OCPA’s central list at all stages. The interview and selection panel comprised officials, the independent assessor and a stakeholder representative.
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Page published: 8 May 2008