Philip Dilley approved as EA Chair

Philip Dilley (pictured right, photo credit: Arup), the former Executive Chairman of engineering consulting firm Arup, has been approved as the new Chair of the Environment Agency (EA), the independent body that delivers government policy for ‘the protection and enhancement of the environment’.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee approved the appointment on Wednesday (15 July) following a hearing that evaluated Dilley’s suitability for the post. He had been chosen as preferred candidate for the role in June.

The committee’s Chair, Miss Anne McIntosh, commented: “We are satisfied that Philip Dilley has the professional competence and personal independence required for the post of Chair of the Environment Agency. We wish Mr Dilley every success in his new post.”

Dilley will succeed Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury (the former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) as Chair of the organisation and will spend ‘two to three days a week’ leading the organisation and making sure that it fulfils all of its goals.

He is expected to be paid a salary of £100,000-a-year when he takes up the role on 8 September.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “This is a vital role which carries major responsibilities. I am delighted to have confirmed Sir Philip Dilley as Chairman of the Environment Agency and I look forward to him bringing his leadership, experience and gravitas to the Board.”

Dilley background

Between 2011 and 2013, Dilley was a member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Group, which sees business leaders from ‘sectors of strategic importance to the UK’ provide advice on ‘critical business and economic issues facing the country’.

He has a background in civil engineering and is currently Chairman of London First, a business membership organisation that encourages businesses and government to invest in London. He is also a member of the governing council of Imperial College London.

Dilley held the role of Arup Executive Chairman from April 2009 until March 2014, when he stepped down to ‘take on other roles’.

Although he has confirmed that he is not a member of any political party and has not made any political donations, he outlined that when in his role as Executive Chairman of Arup, the firm made contributions to All Party Parliamentary croups and charities as well as a £2,000 donation to the Scottish Labour Party in 2009 (to cover the cost of tickets to a gala dinner hosting the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland).

Read the full report into Dilley’s suitability for the role.