Roles filled within the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)

Two important roles have been recently filled in the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP).

Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection

In December 2020 Dame Glenys Stacey was selected as the Government’s preferred candidate to become the Chair of the OEP.

Dame Glenys was selected following a rigorous process which was conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments. A panel of five assessed each of the candidates prior to consideration by the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State then invited both the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee and Environmental Audit Committee to hold a joint pre-appointment hearing and to report on the suitability of Dame Glenys for the post.

Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence from a minister’s preferred candidate before they are appointed. The Select Committee then publish a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

Dame Glenys will start her role on 1st February 2021.

Interim CEO for Office for Environmental Protection

On 28th January 2021 it was announced that Natalie Prosser had been appointed by the Secretary of State as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the OEP. She was confirmed in this temporary post in agreement with the Chair-designate of the OEP, Dame Glenys Stacey, following consultation with the Civil Service Commission.

She will start her role in February alongside Dame Glenys. The role of the Interim CEO is time limited until December and will be focussed on setting up the new body pending the appointment of a permanent CEO.

Commenting on both appointments, Environment Minister Edwin Poots said, “I congratulate both Dame Glenys and Natalie Prosser on their recent appointments to these important roles and wish them well in carrying out their duties. The OEP will have an invaluable role in ensuring that environmental oversight continues following the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Office for Environmental Protection will be created by the Environment Bill. It will be a new, independent statutory body with the principal objective of contributing to environmental protection and the improvement of the natural environment. The functioning of the OEP in Northern Ireland will be subject to the approval of the NI Assembly.

2. Biographical details of Dame Glenys Stacey

Dame Glenys Stacey was acting Chief Regulator at Ofqual, having re-joined in late August 2020. Dame Glenys has previously served as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation and as Chief Executive at Animal Health (now part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency).

In 2019, Dame Glenys chaired an independent review of farm regulation at the request of the then Secretary of State for Defra. Most recently, Dame Glenys served as chair of the Professional Standards Authority.

A solicitor by profession, she has a wealth of CEO and regulatory experience, having led the start-up or development of a number of public-sector organisations responsible for legal or regulatory services.

Dame Glenys was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire in the New Year’s honours list in 2016 recognising her services to Education.

3. Biographical Details of Natalie Prosser

Natalie is currently General Counsel at the Gambling Commission.

Natalie is a former Director of Legal at The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

She was the regulatory and policy lead on the independent Farm Inspection and Regulation Review.

Natalie is a solicitor by profession.

4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk

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