DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (134/08) issued by
The Government News Network on 8 May 2008
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 for 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 http://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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