Natural England chief executive Dr Helen Phillips is to leave her post early next year, it has been announced. Dr Phillips will take up a position as an executive director at Yorkshire Water in March.
Richard Benyon, the Defra minister for the natural environment and fisheries, said: “Under Helen's leadership during the last five years Natural England has made a real difference to our environment.”
Natural England acts as a government advisory body on nature conservation.
Its chairman Poul Christensen said: “Under her leadership, Natural England has made its evidence accessible, notably through the publication of the State of the Natural Environment Report, increased to 70% the amount of farmland in Environmental Stewardship, prioritised support for the government’s Natural Environment White Paper and the new England Biodiversity Strategy and achieved favourable and recovering condition for over 95% of England’s most important wildlife sites.”
The organisation’s board will meet to discuss the appointment of a successor.
No comments have been made.