The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, has today (Monday 24 March) 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.
Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper said:
“It is truly an honour to be reappointed Chair of Natural England. Our role in protecting and restoring the natural environment is vital for the country’s economy, health and security and I am looking forward to two more years supporting government in delivering Nature-positive change.
“From creating the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves and the King Charles III England Coast Path, launching 12 new landscape-scale Nature Recovery Projects and bringing the iconic beaver back to Britain’s waterways, our work over the past six years is helping turn the tide toward Nature’s recovery.
“I’m immensely proud of the Natural England team and excited to lead the organisation as we ensure development, growth and nature restoration go forward hand-in-hand – delivering a brighter future for everyone.”
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:
“Tony brings a wealth of passion, experience and expertise to the role, which we will need more than ever as we grow the economy and restore our natural world.
“Tony and I are fully committed to infrastructure, to housing, to growth.
“Our reforms will fast-track development to boost economic growth while funding large-scale environmental improvements across whole landscapes as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.”
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.
There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be made public. Tony has declared that he has not taken part in any significant political activity in the past five years.
Tony Juniper biography
- Tony Juniper CBE has been Chair of Natural England since 2019.
- Prior to joining Natural England, Tony was Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at WWF-UK and President of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
- He is a Fellow of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and former advisor to the Prince of Wales (now King Charles).
- He began his career as an ornithologist, working with Birdlife International and for many years worked with Friends of the Earth, most recently as Executive Director and Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth International.
- He is a prolific author publishing many books, including ‘Just Earth: How a Fairer World Will Save the Planet’ and the multi-award-winning bestseller ‘What has Nature ever done for us?’
- In 2017, Tony was recognised for his services to conservation with a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.
Natural England
- Natural England is the government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment in England.
- Natural England’s purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
