Environment Agency names new chair

Emma Howard Boyd has been confirmed as the new chair of the Environment Agency. She started in the role yesterday (19 September).

Howard Boyd was appointed to the board of the Environment Agency in 2009 and was made deputy chair in 2015. She became acting chair in January 2016 after former chair Philip Dilley stepped down from his post.

Speaking about her appointment, Howard Boyd said: “It’s an honour to be appointed chair of the Environment Agency. It is a fantastic organisation making a real difference to the environment, wildlife and local communities.

“There are big challenges ahead – ensuring the country is more resilient to extreme weather, protecting and enhancing the environment, and promoting sustainable growth – I look forward to playing my part.”

Delighted to be the new permanent @EnvAgency Chair. It’s a great organisation doing fantastic work – I look forward to playing my part.

— Emma Howard Boyd (@EmmaHowardBoyd) September 19, 2016

Environment secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Emma brings unrivalled experience, leadership and enthusiasm to the Environment Agency and I very much look forward to working with her.”

The recruitment was carried out in accordance with the ‘code of practice for ministerial appointments to public bodies’, published by the commissioner for public appointments.

The panel overseeing the recruitment was chaired by an assessor appointed by the commissioner. The commissioner is independent of government and his role is to ensure that the best people get appointed to public bodies based on merit.

There is a requirement for an appointee’s political activity, if significant, in the last five years to be declared. Howard Boyd has confirmed that she is not a member of any political party and has not made any political donations.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) select committee published a report approving the appointment of Howard Boyd as the new chair of the Environment Agency.

Howard Boyd has spent her 25-year career working in financial services, initially in corporate finance, and then in fund management, specialising in sustainable investment and corporate governance.

As director of stewardship at Jupiter Asset Management until July 2014, she was integral to the development of their reputation in the corporate governance and sustainability fields.

She currently serves on various boards and advisory committees including the Future Cities Catapult (vice chair), ShareAction (chair of trustees), the Aldersgate Group, Menhaden Capital, the 30 per cent Club steering committee, the executive board of The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project and the Carbon Trust advisory panel.