New chief executive appointed at Environment Agency

Following a “competitive recruitment process”, Sir James has been chosen as the replacement for Paul Leinster, who left the chief executive role on Friday (September 25) after 17 years at the Agency.

David Rooke, the Agency’s current executive director for flood risk management, will act as chief executive until Sir James takes up his new role, the EA said.

Currently working at the UK’s High Commission to India, Sir James has had a “long career in government” and will take up his new role at the EA on November 30 2015, according to the Agency.

Chairman of the Environment Agency, Sir Phillip Dilley, said: “I am delighted that Sir James Bevan will be joining the Environment Agency as its chief executive later this year. Sir James will lead the organisation with passion, energy and a clear commitment to continue the great work it does to protect and improve the environment and make it a better place for people and wildlife.”

Sir James Bevan

A 56-year-old University of Sussex graduate, Sir James first joined the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1982, and has worked as a diplomat in London, Paris, Brussels and Washington covering issues across the EU, Africa and India.

He has also previously worked as a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Centre of International Affairs in the USA before being awarded a knighthood in 2012.

In his current role as High Commissioner to India, Sir James recently visited a green urban developments and a water recycling plant in Delhi with Energy Secretary Amber Rudd MP.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “One of the biggest challenges of our time is protecting the environment and promoting growth. We need to do both, and I look forward to playing my part in that.

“The Environment Agency is a great organisation which makes a great contribution to our country. It will be an honour and a privilege to lead it.”

Last week, an investigation into a suspected £78 million landfill tax fraud saw 14 people arrested across the North of England and Yorkshire in dawn raids by Environment Agency officers and police (see letsrecycle.com story).