The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs have jointly appointed Julie Hill as Interim Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP).

This follows the departure of Dame Glenys Stacey, who has served as Chair of the OEP since its establishment.

Julie Hill is currently a Non-Executive Director of the OEP and will take up the interim role with immediate effect. Her appointment, running for a time-limited period of four months until 31 May 2026, will provide stability and continuity of leadership while the process to appoint a permanent Chair concludes.

As an existing Board member, Jshe has a strong understanding of the OEP’s statutory remit and regulatory context. She brings substantial senior leadership and chairing experience across the environmental and public sectors and commands the confidence of the Board and key stakeholders.

The appointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:

“I would like to thank Dame Glenys Stacey for her leadership in establishing the Office for Environmental Protection and guiding it through its formative years. She has laid strong foundations for the organisation’s future work.

“I am pleased to appoint Julie Hill as Interim Chair on a joint basis with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Julie’s experience and understanding of the OEP will ensure continuity and stability as we complete the process to appoint a permanent Chair.”