Rosamund Blomfield-Smith, Kim Shillinglaw, Kerry ten Kate
and have been appointed
for three years commencing 1 June 2020.
Environment Minister said:
Natural England has a crucial role to play as we deliver
our pledge to leave the environment in a better state for
future generations.
The new board members bring a breadth of experience and
knowledge that will be invaluable in our mission to
protect and restore England’s nature and landscapes.
Natural England chair Tony Juniper said:
A healthy natural environment is an essential national
asset and the Board of Natural England has a vital role
in supporting our organisation as it helps achieve
ambitious Government goals, such as those set out in the
25 Year Environment Plan, the agenda for net zero climate
emissions and the national woodland expansion target.
I very much look forward to working with our new Board
Members, making the most of their experience and skills
to drive our new strategy for nature recovery.
Rosamund Blomfield-Smith spent thirty
years in the City, latterly as a director of both
Rothschilds and ING Barings, but since 2003 has been
non-executive. She has served on boards, including Thames
Water and Hartpury Agricultural College, and is currently
chairman of Museum of London Archaeology, a member of
Ofgem’s Challenge Group, and chairman of Ofcom’s
Independent Advisory Group.
Kim Shillinglaw is a senior media
executive. She has led the commercial transformation of
businesses as Director of Factual at EndemolShine,
modernised TV channels as Controller of BBC2 and BBC4, and
initiated content from Stargazing Live to Blue Planet II as
Head of Science and Natural History Commissioning.
Kerry ten Kate is an independent
consultant, advising governments, companies, banks and
civil society organisations on how best to integrate the
natural environment into economic decision-making. She is a
trustee of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, a
member of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission and of the
Aldersgate Group and Conservation Fellow at the Zoological
Society of London. She is a former member of the Natural
Capital Committee.
is an
ex-civil servant with ten years Board level experience as
Director General at Defra and DCLG and a spell as acting
Permanent Secretary at Defra. After leaving the Civil
Service in 2015 he spent four years as Chief Executive of
the Whitehall & Industry Group, an independent charity
promoting leadership development and understanding between
government, industry and the not for profit sector.
Board members play an important role in supporting and
encouraging the executive team in improving Natural
England’s delivery for the natural environment by driving
forward substantial change to deliver value for money,
excellent customer service and better collaboration with
key partners while maintaining a clear overview, and
ensuring business continuity, across the range of its
functions.
Natural England plays a key role in delivering Government’s
environmental priorities. Its general purpose is to ensure
the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed
for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby
contributing to sustainable development.
Background:
Natural England forms part of the Defra Group and as a
non-departmental public body it has its own independent
powers and statutory duties; exercising advisory and
regulatory responsibilities at arm’s length from Ministers.
Natural England is accountable to Defra’s Secretary of
State for the delivery of its objectives.
All appointments to the Natural England Board are made on
merit and political activity plays no part in the selection
process.
