Committee publication · Correspondence · 8 July 2025

Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the recruitment of the Environment Agency Chair, dated 26 June 2025

From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Inquiry: Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies

Summary

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs announces the closure of the Environment Agency Chair recruitment campaign launched in April 2025. Alan Lovell will continue in the role until at least June 2026. The decision prioritises continuity and stability as the regulator enters its next evolutionary phase.

Key findings

  • Recruitment campaign for Environment Agency Chair launched 11 April 2025 and closed 27 May 2025 has been terminated
  • Alan Lovell to remain as Environment Agency Chair until at least June 2026
  • Decision framed as maintaining continuity and stability during regulator's next phase of evolution

Tone

Procedural

Topics

public-administrationenvironmental-regulationrecruitment

Key actors

Steve Reed, Alistair Carmichael, Toby Perkins, Alan Lovell, Environment Agency

Notable line

Alan's continued Chairmanship will maintain continuity and stability for the regulator as part of the next stage of its evolution.

Key Quotes

I have since made the decision to close this recruitment. Alan Lovell will continue as Chair of the Environment Agency until at least June
Steve Reed · announcing the closure of the Environment Agency Chair recruitment campaign
Alan's continued Chairmanship will maintain continuity and stability for the regulator as part of the next stage of its evolution.
Steve Reed · justifying the decision to retain the incumbent Chair
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗