Baroness Barbara Young is set to leave her position as chief executive, to chair the new Care Quality Commission, while former cabinet minister Lord Chris Smith is to replace current chairman John Harman, who has held the post for eight years.
The appointment of Lord Smith – a former shadow labour environment minister and currently chair of the Advertising Standards Authority – brings to the end a period of uncertainty within the Agency as it has struggled to find a new chairman. Sir John had to stay in post for an extra six months until Lord Smith was appointed yesterday.
Commenting on the appointment, Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn 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 Changes.
“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,” he added.
Smith
Lord Smith was elected to the House of Commons in 1983 as MP for Islington South and Finsbury and was appointed to the Environment Select Committee. He became an opposition whip, a shadow Treasury minister, and shadowed the environment, heritage, pensions and health portfolios between 1992 and 1997.
In 1997 he was appointed to Tony Blair's Cabinet as the first Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. He was also president of the Labour environment group SERA from 1992-2007.
Lord Smith said: “I have been committed to raising the profile of environmental issues for more than 20 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 as a challenging time as it takes practical steps to both protect the environment and adapt to climate change.”
Modern
Mr Benn paid tribute to the “tremendous contribution” that John Harman had made to the Agency. Mr Harman was a founder board member in 1996, deputy chair in 1999 and chair since 2006.
Mr Benn said: “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 it willing and able to meet the challenged it faces in the years to come.”
Barbara Young's departure is almost certain and the Agency confirmed today that she was likely to leave. With past experience in the health sector, the Baroness is the preferred candidate to be chair of the Care Quality Commission – a new regulatory body for health and adult social care.
Welcome
The Agency changes have prompted a warm welcome for Lord and positive comments regarding Sir John and Baroness Young from the waste management sector.
Dirk Hazell, chief executive of the Environmental Services Association, said: “The present government has consistently appointed good chairmen and chief executives to the Environment Agency. When Sir John Harman and Barbara Young took over, the Agency was going in the wrong direction. It is a considerable tribute to both of them that they have managed to turn the Agency around – it is going in the right direction and is one of the world's leading regulators.”
He added: “From his days at university, Chris Smith was one of the country's outstanding politicians and it's really good news for the environment that the regulator has such a heavyweight politician as its new chairman.”
Steve Lee, chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management – and a former senior official with the Agency – said: “Chris Smith has the qualities that this demanding role requires; he has proved his commitment to the environment and we look to his leadership and motivation skills, not just to take the EA forwards but to take us all forwards.”
Related Links
EA: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
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