Dr Leinster, who has been with the Environment Agency since 1998 and is currently its Director of Operations, will take up the post while the process to find a permanent replacement is completed.
A search will begin when new chairman Chris Smith replaces current chairman Sir John Harman in July (see letsrecycle.com story).
Sir John said: “The Board and I wish Barbara Young well in her new role and we have complete confidence that Paul Leinster will take the Environment Agency forward.”
Barbara Young said that she was proud of what the Agency had achieved in her eight years with the organisation and that it was a “real force for good in creating a better place.
She added: “I plan to continue my involvement in environmental issues through my voluntary sector and parliamentary work. In Paul I leave the Environment Agency in very experienced and capable hands and I wish him well in the role.”
Environment
Dr Paul Leinster has worked for 30 years in the health and safety environment field.
His current role includes oversight of all regional and area staff. Before this he was the Agency's director of Environmental Protection.
Prior to joining the body in 1998 he was the Director of Environmental Services with SmithKline Beecham. Previous employers also include BP International, Schering Agrochemicals and the consultancy firm Thomson-MTS where he was Managing Director.
Dr Leinster has a degree in Chemistry, a PhD in environmental engineering from Imperial College and an MBA from the Cranfield School of Management.
He said: “I am very honoured to be asked by the Environment Agency's Board to take up the role of Acting Chief Executive. I look forward to the challenge. Barbara has done an outstanding job as Chief Executive and is a tough act to follow. I will look to build on her considerable achievements.”
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