The Chair of the OEP will provide leadership and strategic vision for the board, ensure good governance and, with the board, hold the executive to account. The chair will promote a positive and constructive relationship with everyone that works with the OEP including Parliament, government Ministers, departments, and public authorities; along with a wide range of interest groups as well as others. The chair is appointed by, and is accountable to, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

In their applications candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the following essential criteria:

• A credible and authoritative figure, able to communicate effectively on behalf of the OEP and build confidence across multiple sectors.
• Ability to understand, influence, and lead within a complex political or administrative system, corporate or public body, while remaining objective and evidence led.
• Ability to guide the strategic direction of the OEP as a new and innovative organisation; lead the board to reach well-considered decisions, maximising the contribution of its members; and, provide support or challenge to the Executive members as appropriate.
• Ability to demonstrate a good understanding, or the ability to attain that understanding swiftly, of the focus of the OEP’s work, along with an understanding of the relative fields of expertise involved.

Additional Information

Time commitment and term of office

The chair is expected to spend a minimum of two days per week on OEP business. This includes preparing for meetings and travelling time. The OEP will be headquartered in a single office space in a location tbc with a ‘touch down’ point in central London. The role will be based at the OEP’s headquarters with attendance in Westminster and other locations expected. Flexible working may be accommodated in line with the requirements of the OEP.

The chair will be expected to attend regular meetings of the OEP Board, as well as relevant committee meetings, and visits. Board meetings will be held in the OEP’s core office location.

This appointment is subject to the establishment of the OEP, which is being legislated for by the Environment Bill. The successful candidate may initially be appointed as a non-executive OEP Chair Designate, engaged by Defra on an interim, fixed-term basis, until the Environment Bill receives Royal Assent and the OEP is legally established.

Following Royal Assent, the intention is that the successful candidate will transfer to become the non-executive OEP Chair. At this point, their fixed-term appointment to Defra will end.

The successful candidate will be appointed initially for a period of up to five years and may be eligible for reappointment. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Secretary of State, subject to satisfactory performance assessment, with the appointment limited to a maximum of ten years or two terms. The total length of the appointment is expected to encompass both their appointment as OEP Chair Designate and appointment as OEP Chair.

We actively encourage applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Defra is a Disability Confident employer.