Environment Secretary has today confirmed Tony
Juniper CBE as the new Chair of Natural England.
Environment Secretary said:
Tony will bring great experience and passion to Natural
England from a career dedicated to conservation from his
role at WWF to advising the Prince of Wales.
Natural England has a key part to play in the
government’s 25 year plan for the environment and
ensuring we can protect nature for future generations.
That is why I am looking forward to working with Tony as
he leads the organisation and ensures Natural England can
continue delivering the government’s environmental
priorities.
Tony Juniper said:
Natural England’s vital role in defending and enhancing
our nation’s natural environment has never been more
important. It is a real honour to have been appointed as
the new Chair and I am very much looking forward to
working with the Natural England teams and many partners
across the country in delivering the biggest possible
positive impact that we can.
Natural England’s work is very wide ranging, from
protecting our National Nature Reserves to advising
farmers and from opening England’s new coastal path to
ensuring greater public access to our wonderful natural
areas.
As Chair, my aim will be to celebrate, protect and deepen
the impact of Natural England’s excellent work, not only
for the sake of our wildlife and beautiful landscapes,
but also for the huge benefits that our success brings
for society.
, Deputy Chair of
Natural England, said:
All of us in Natural England are excited that we will be
led by Tony Juniper, one of the UK’s most outstanding
environmental champions. Over three decades he has
developed a strong track record of working for a more
sustainable environment.
We are all looking forward to being inspired to achieve
even greater things under his leadership and give a
tremendous lift to the 25 Year Environment Plan.
The appointment follows the EFRA and EAC
committees’ joint report into Tony’s suitability
for the role, published on the 1 March, and a public hearing with
the committees held on the 26 February.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity
plays no part in the selection process.
There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity
(if significant) to be made public. Tony made a political
declaration to the Efra and EAC Committees in which he
declared that he was a member of the Green Party, but he
did not declare any significant political activity in the
past five years. Following the hearing with the Committees
Tony has confirmed he will not remain a member of the Green
Party whilst he is Natural England Chair.
Tony will take up the role on the 23 April.
Tony Juniper biography
- Tony Juniper CBE is currently Executive Director for
Advocacy and Campaigns at WWF-UK and President of Royal
Society of Wildlife Trusts and is standing down from these
positions with confirmation of his appointment. He is a
Fellow of the University of Cambridge Institute for
Sustainability Leadership and former advisor to the Prince
of Wales.
- He began his career working as an ornithologist with
Birdlife International and for many years worked with
Friends of the Earth, most recently as Executive Director
and Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth International.
- He is a prolific author publishing many books,
including the award-winning best seller ‘What has Nature
Ever Done for Us?’
- In 2017 Tony was recognised for his services to
conservation with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Natural England
- Natural England is a non-departmental public body, set
up under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities
(NERC) Act 2006.
- Natural England is the government’s statutory adviser
for the natural environment in England, helping to protect
England’s nature and landscapes for people to enjoy and for
the services they provide.
- Its general purpose as set out in the Natural
Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 is to ensure
that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and
managed for the benefit of present and future generations,
thereby contributing to sustainable development.
- Natural England plays a key role in delivering the
environmental priorities of central government, including
the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.
