Defra is extending the appointments of  four Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Chairs: Dr Jonathan Hargreaves as the Chair of the Northumbria RFCC, Professor Robert Van de Noort as the Chair of the South West (Devon and Cornwall) RFCC, Amanda Nobbs as the Chair of Thames RFCC, and Steve Wheatley as the Chair of Anglian (Central) RFCC.

Their terms, which are due to finish on 30 June 2016, will be extended by one year until 30 June 2017.

Dr Jonathan Hargreaves will have been the Chair of Northumbria RFCC for 3 years on 30 June 2016. He has worked in the water industry in the UK and overseas for over 35 years - as an executive director with both Northumbrian and Scottish Water and has eight years’ experience in non-executive roles.

Professor Robert Van de Noort will have been the Chair of the South West (Devon & Cornwall) RFCC for the last 3 years on 30 June 2016. He is currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Reading.

Amanda Nobbs will have been the Chair of the Thames RFCC for the last 7 years on 30 June 2016. She has served as a member of the Inland Waterways Advisory Council and the Environment Agency’s Regional Environmental Protection Advisory Committee.

Stephen Wheatley will have been the Chair of the Anglian (Central) RFCC for the last 8 years on 30 June 2016. He is a chartered civil engineer, who has 31 years experience working for public service organisations, of which 23 were at a senior management level. He has considerable experience of flood and coastal risk management policy and practice, extensive contacts with stakeholders and an in-depth knowledge of the region.