Alan Lovell will step down as Chair of the Environment Agency at the end of December 2026, following an extended term in post.
Since taking up the role in September 2022, his leadership has helped guide the organisation’s work on water, resilience to flooding and environmental protection, whilst also championing the expertise, professionalism and commitment of Environment Agency staff across the country.
He brought a wealth of experience from across business, infrastructure and regulation to the role, helping to strengthen the EA’s governance, improve operational delivery and performance and maintain focus on long-term environmental challenges.
He has also played a key role in shaping the EA’s latest Corporate Strategy – EA2030. The EA’s latest Business Plan was published last month.
A recruitment process will take place over the summer to appoint a successor.
Chair of the Environment Agency, Alan Lovell said:
“It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of the Environment Agency over the past four years.
“The EA faces some of the most complex and consequential challenges in public life, from protecting communities against flooding to helping to reform the water sector. It has been a privilege to help the organisation drive forward our ambition for change set out in our corporate strategy.
“I am enormously proud of what the organisation has achieved and deeply grateful to the dedicated staff whose professionalism and commitment make the EA what it is.”
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds commented:
“I thank Alan for his dedication to the Environment Agency and his commitment to strengthening its regulatory approach and sharpening its operational effectiveness.
“We have worked with Alan and his team to increase scrutiny and inspection activity in the water sector, setting clearer expectations around compliance and environmental performance. The EA is also making strides in cracking down on waste crime, publishing its 10 point plan and playing a central part in the government’s Waste Crime Action Plan.”
ends
Picture caption: Barhale’s inspection and maintenance programme will include Stanwell shaft
Picture caption: Isolations at shaft base
About Barhale
Barhale is a civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist.
Originally established in 1980 as a dedicated tunnelling contractor, Barhale has grown its skills and capabilities, including design and the supply of safety and construction products, to support its long-term commitment to the direct delivery of end-to-end construction services.
Strong family values and industry-leading personal development pathways have confirmed Barhale’s status as an employer of choice shaping teams with a reputation for innovation and exceptional engineering ability. The company is now one of the largest privately-owned infrastructure businesses in the UK, recognised by New Civil Engineer as the Tunnelling Contractor of the Year and by The Sunday Times as a Top 100 Place to Work.
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