The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, has confirmed that Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England for a third term.
Tony’s continued leadership comes as Mr. Reed is rewiring Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to embark on an ambitious programme of reforming regulation and delivery to unleash economic growth across the country, with Natural England playing a major role.
Planning reforms and a new Nature Restoration Fund under the Secretary of State’s leadership will unblock much needed housing and development whilst supporting nature recovery at scale. It will help developers meet their environmental obligations more efficiently, making it easier to build vital infrastructure like wind farms, railways and roads, gigafactories and data centres.
First appointed in 2019, Tony Juniper will become the longest serving chair of Natural England, the government’s statutory adviser on nature. He will continue in the role for two years from 23 April 2025 to 22 April 2027.
Natural England is working with the government to deliver the shared ambition to grow nature and the economy for the benefit of everybody. This includes ensuring guidance is fit for purpose and moving toward better strategic planning to secure environmental improvements while development takes place.
Nature in Britain is in decline. That is why this Government has launched a rapid review to deliver on our legally binding environment targets, including halting the decline of species by 2030. Under his extended chairmanship, Tony will be at the forefront of the Government’s drive to meet these targets.
Tony Juniper’s reappointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
