Dilley Selected As Preferred Candidate For Environment Agency Chair

Philip Dilley selected as the preferred option to succeed Lord Chris Smith

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Following an open competition, the Secretary of State, Owen Paterson is pleased to announce Philip Dilley has been selected as the government's preferred candidate to succeed Lord Chris Smith in the post of Chair of the Environment Agency, the independent body which delivers Government policy for the protection and enhancement of the environment.

Mr Dilley was identified following a rigorous selection process which was validated by an independent assessor from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The recruitment process was conducted in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.


The Secretary of State has invited the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee to hold a pre-appointment hearing and to report on Mr Dilley’s suitability for the post. This is in line with the Government’s commitment to strengthen the role of Parliament in scrutinising major public appointments.

Pre-appointment hearings enable select committees to take evidence from preferred candidates for major public appointments before they are appointed. Hearings are in public and involve the select committee publishing a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post. Pre-appointment hearings are non-binding but Ministers will consider the committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with an appointment.

(CD)