Dr Paul Leinster awarded CBE

Dr Leinster, who joined the Environment Agency in 1998, was awarded a CBE in the list, which was published on Saturday (June 14), receiving the honour “for public and voluntary service”.

He was appointed to his current role of acting chief executive last month, moving from his permanent position as director of operations in the wake of previous chief executive Barbara Young's decision to leave to join the Quality Care Commission (see letsrecycle.com story).

Dr Leinster has amassed over 30 years of experience working in the health and safety environment field, as well as holding a degree in chemistry, a PhD in environmental engineering from Imperial College and an MBA from the Cranfield School of Management.

His previous employers have included pharmaceutical firm SmithKline Beecham and petrol giant BP International, while his early years at the Environment Agency saw him fill the position of director of environmental protection.

Reacting to the news, Dr Leinster said: “I am delighted to have been given this honour. I think it recognises the great work we do in the Environment Agency. It has been a real privilege to be a Director here for the last 10 years and now to be Acting Chief Executive.

“I really enjoy my work and the challenges we face and I can't think of a better group of people to work with, they are great,” he added. “The need to think about and do something about the environment is growing in most people's awareness and with climate change the challenges we face will only increase. Everyone has to do their bit to protect people and the environment now and for people in the future.

“I am looking forward to working with everyone in the Environment Agency to make our contribution really count,” he concluded.

Helen Ghosh

The honours list also saw Helen Ghosh, Defra's permanent secretary, receive the Order of the Bath.

Mrs Ghosh has been in her current position since November 2005, but first joined the civil service straight from university in 1979, before going on to hold a number of policy and private office roles in departments including the Department of the Environment, the Cabinet Office and the Government Office for London.

Describing her current role at Defra she states that “my main responsibility is to make sure the Department has the capability to deliver the outcomes that Ministers want, through good policy making, operational delivery, and making best use of staff and financial services.”

Roy Watkinson

Roy Watkinson, who is a senior policy specialist within Defra's waste management division, received an MBE in the list “for public service” during his time as Hazardous Waste Policy manager at the Environment Agency.

Mr Watkinson currently co-ordinates Defra's input to regulations for ship recycling, but during his time at the Agency he was responsible for developing regulations on hazardous waste and international waste shipments, as well as offering specialist advice and representation on waste management both nationally and internationally.

He also worked at the Department of the Environment, as deputy head of wastes, technical division, and as a principal inspector in HM Inspectorate of Pollution, as well as holding various roles at a local government level in waste management.