News

Beckett Announces Natural England Deputy Chair

31st March 2006

Margaret Beckett, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, today announced her intention to appoint Poul Christensen as the Deputy Chair of Natural England, the new statutory body with responsibility for enhancing and managing the natural environment.

Welcoming the appointment, Mrs Beckett said: "Poul is a dedicated champion of conservation issues and the natural environment, with a proven track record of service on public bodies. This, together with his extensive experience in rural affairs, farming, and change management will be extremely valuable to Natural England.

"Together with Sir Martin Doughty, he will provide the organisation with strong leadership during its development and formal establishment later this year."

Sir Martin Doughty, the Chair Designate of Natural England said: "I am extremely pleased that Poul Christensen has been appointed Deputy
Chair. His experience as a farmer, businessman and, latterly, Chair of
the Rural Development Service, will be hugely beneficial to Natural
England."

Mr Christensen said: "I am very much looking forward to working with Martin Doughty and the new NE team to make the vision for Natural England a reality."

Mr Christensen will step down as Chair of the Rural Development Service Board and become Deputy Chair Designate of Natural England from 1 April 2006. He will then be formally appointed Deputy Chair once the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill has received Royal Assent and Natural England is established as a legal entity.

Mr Christensen's full appointment will be for three years from 2 October 2006, and he will be paid £30,000 a year for one and a half days per week.

Mr Christensen will be succeeded on the RDS Board by Mrs Judith Webb, who is appointed Acting Chair.