Emma Howard Boyd has been confirmed as chair of the Environment Agency. The government confirmed her appointment on Monday, after she had already been working as acting chair and was tipped as the preferred candidate in July.  

Howard Boyd had been on the Agency’s board since 2009, and took over as acting chair after former chair Sir Philip Dilley resigned at the beginning of the year, after only 18 months in the job. The former chair resigned weeks after coming under fire when it emerged he had been holidaying in Barbados when floods hit Northern England. Dilley said the expectations of the role had expanded and that it was inappropriate to expect a non-executive chair to “be available at short notice throughout the year” when resigning from the £100,000 per annum part-time post in January.

Before working with the Environment Agency, Howard Boyd was in financial services - initially in corporate finance, then fund management.

Upon her appointment, the new Environment Agency chair said, “It’s an honour to be appointed Chair of the Environment Agency. It is a fantastic organisation making a real difference to the environment, wildlife and local communities.

“There are big challenges ahead - ensuring the country is more resilient to extreme weather, protecting and enhancing the environment, and promoting sustainable growth - I look forward to playing my part.”