He will come in at a time of challenge for the Agency with Lord Smith knocked by the way the Agency handled the floods, job cuts across the Agency and criticism by some in the waste sector that it has lost its focus.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson now has to get the appointment rubber-stamped by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee which will hold a pre-appointment hearing and report on Mr Dilleys suitability for the post.
Mr Dilleys role at the global consulting firm Arup carried responsibility for the group performance and brand.
He is also currently Chairman of London First, a business membership organisation with the mission to make London the best city in the world in which to do business as well as a Member of the Governing Council of Imperial College.
Government advisor
From 2011 to 2013 Mr Dilley was a member of the Prime Ministers Advisory Group, which comprises business leaders from sectors of strategic importance to the UK who are invited to provide regular, high level advice to the Prime Minister on critical business and economic issues facing the country.
Lord Smith has been chair of the Agency since May 2008, when he replaced John Harman who had held the post for eight years (see letsrecycle.com).
Should Mr Dilleys appointment be approved it would come at a testing time for the Environment Agency whose ability to effectively police the waste sector has been called into question in the face of wide-ranging cuts, which have seen staffing numbers significantly reduced.
Concerns have also been raised that the cuts in funding and staff could cause delays in the permitting process for waste facilities.
In the past Mr Dilley has highlighted the role of engineers and Arup reports including one on cities which talked of a roadmap for developing smart cities of the future to minimise waste and promote growth by unleashing the potential of data.
Mr Dilley will have much to do in giving the Environment Agency a new lease of life. The organisation has lost a large number of staff in recent years and there are suggestions that morale is low.
Waste
On the waste side, critics often say that the Agency has failed to get to grips with illegal operators from end of life vehicle recycling through to skip hire. Plus, there is a view in some quarters that the Agency does not have enough officials to properly regulate or understand the waste sector.
At his consultancy firm, Mr Dilley has championed the fact that a staff survey showed 89% of Arup personnel around the world feel proud to work for Arup while 87% would recommend Arup as a place to work”.
He commented: So thats a fairly strong advertisement for employee-ownership.
He also said: At the same time, we shouldnt forget that good management, skilfully deployed, can deliver positive results for traditionally owned organisation too.
Some in the waste sector will no doubt expect Mr Dilley to try and bring over some of the aspects of Arup to the Environment Agency.
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