Changes to Natural England’s Executive Board
24 November 2011
Natural England, the Government’s nature conservation advisor, today announced that Dr Helen Phillips, the Chief Executive of Natural England, is moving on to take up a new position as an Executive Director of Yorkshire Water on 1 March 2012. She will continue as Chief Executive of Natural England until then to ensure a smooth transition to her successor.
Poul Christensen, Chair of Natural England, said: “Helen has been a transformational leader for Natural England, creating the new organisation, improving efficiency, building our customer service culture and securing a series of important environmental outcomes.”
Mr Christensen continued: “Helen will leave behind an organisation that has adapted to the new government’s priorities for its Arm’s Length Bodies, and whose record of delivery enables Natural England to face the future with confidence.”
“Under her leadership, Natural England has made its evidence accessible, notably through the publication of the State of the Natural Environment Report, increased to 70% the amount of farmland in Environmental Stewardship, prioritised support for the government’s Natural Environment White Paper and the new England Biodiversity Strategy and achieved favourable and recovering condition for over 95% of England’s most important wildlife sites.”
Helen Phillips said: “The last five years have been the most challenging and fulfilling of my professional life, in which I’ve had the privilege of working with dedicated and talented people to make a difference for the natural environment. I am proud of what we have achieved together and will move to Yorkshire Water confident in the knowledge that Natural England is well positioned for the future.”
Richard Benyon, Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries at Defra, said: “Under Helen's leadership over the last five years Natural England has made a real difference to our environment. I wish her all the best in her new role."
The Natural England Board will meet to discuss the process by which Helen’s successor will be appointed.
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Notes to Editors:
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
- We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
- We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and advising widely on their conservation.
- We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
- We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
- We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
For further information contact: Julian Lloyd, Media Relations Manager on 0300 060 0243; 07500 992 116; julian.lloyd@naturalengland.org.uk . Out of hours 07970 098 005.
