Marian Spain, a current Board member of Natural England
and the Chief Executive of Plantlife International,
will take over as interim Chief Executive shortly. This
appointment will provide leadership and continuity
while the recruitment of a permanent successor is
carried out.
James Cross said:
We are now entering a new phase for Natural England,
as we look forward to a new Chair joining in January
and begin preparations for the 2019 Spending Review.
This follows a significant period of change, with the
Countryside Stewardship/Environmental Stewardship
transfer to the Rural Payments Agency on 1 October
and the movement of a number of people through
secondment and assignment processes.
I feel it is the right time to allow fresh leadership
of the organisation to tackle these challenges and
opportunities. We have achieved a lot together since
I joined back in 2014. I’m particularly proud of the
network of marine conservation zones, the England
Coast Path and pioneering new ways to connect people
with nature through care farms and nature-friendly
schools.
I’m immensely proud of everyone I’ve worked alongside
within Natural England. My personal highlights have
been the many, many amazing site visits I’ve been
lucky enough to experience, seeing first hand our
brilliant people doing what they do best.
Andrew Sells, Chairman of Natural England who is due to
retire in the New Year, said:
I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to James
for the leadership, drive and sheer hard work he has
given to Natural England over the last four years.
He has been a key architect of important reforms to
our organisation, enabling it to secure significant
gains for the natural environment through efficiency,
innovation and collaboration in a difficult financial
climate.
James can take great pride in all he has achieved
while Chief Executive and I wish him well in the
future.
Marian Spain was appointed interim Chief Executive by
the Natural England Board. She has held a number of
senior roles with organisations in the environment
sector, including the Environment Agency and
Countryside Agency – a predecessor body of Natural
England.
Marian joined the Natural England Board in March this
year but will relinquish this position while interim
Chief Executive. She said:
I am delighted to be appointed to such an important
role at a crucial time for Natural England and the
environment as a whole. Natural England has a wealth
of talented people passionate about making a
difference for the natural world and I look forward
to working with them.
Alan Law, Chief Officer for Strategy and Reform, has
been appointed Deputy Chief Executive to support
Marian.
Andrew Sells, Chairman of Natural England added:
I am delighted that Marian has agreed to become
Natural England’s interim Chief Executive, to provide
leadership and continuity during an important time
for the natural environment. Alan Law has
demonstrated his conservation and leadership
abilities during many years with Natural England and
this new role will make even greater use of those
talents.
As we leave the European Union, Natural England has a
vital role to play in helping the government to find
new ways of working with people to deliver the 25
Year Environment Plan and leave the natural world in
a better state.
I am also very pleased to have persuaded Julie Lunt
to stay on as Chief Officer for Legal and Governance
until further notice. She had been due to leave at
the end of the year. Her leadership and expertise
will be invaluable to Natural England over the coming
months.
