Some of the board members of Natural England, the UK government’s statutory advisor on nature conservation, have been reappointed or have been given extensions to their terms
Ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have reappointed Kim Shillinglaw and Peter Unwin and extended the appointments of Rosamund Blomfield-Smith and Kerry ten Kate.
Kim Shillinglaw and Peter Unwin have been reappointed for a second term of three years from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2026.
Rosamund Blomfield-Smith and Kerry ten Kate’s appointments have been extended for nine months from June 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024.
Natural England said its board members play an important role in providing leadership for the organisation, ensuring the delivery of its mission to build partnerships for nature recovery, in support of the Environmental Improvement Plan.
This includes setting strategy and direction, agreeing objectives, overseeing performance and taking important decisions such as designations, it said.
The appointments have all been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process, the UK government said.
Natural England plays a key role in delivering the government’s environmental priorities. Its purpose is to ensure the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for “the benefit of present and future generations”.
