Our governance
Details of Natural England’s governance structures and processes.
Natural England is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) established by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
Natural England developed its framework document in partnership with its sponsor department, Defra. The document:
- implements the principles set out in the cross-government code of practice for partnerships between departments and arm’s length bodies
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sets out Natural England’s:
- purpose and status
- methods of governance and accountability for its activities
- ways of working with Parliament, stakeholders, customers and Defra group
- main duties as an NDPB – for example, the way that it should use and account for public money
Natural England Board
The main roles of the Board are to:
- provide leadership for the organisation – setting strategy and direction, agreeing objectives and overseeing performance
- ensure that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, governance, internal control and use of public money
The Board is the decision making body for Natural England. The
sets out the matters that need to come before the Board for decision. All other authority is delegated to the Chief Executive.Board members
- Andrew Sells (Chairman)
- James Cross (Chief Executive, ex officio board member)
- Dr Joe Horwood
- Nigel Reader CBE
- Teresa Dent CBE
- Dr Simon Lyster
- Dr Andy Clements
- Dr Julia Aglionby
- Professor Michael Winter OBE
- Catherine Dugmore
- Lord Blencathra
- Professor Sue Hartley
- Henry Robinson
- Marian Spain
Members act in accordance with the
.Board committees and groups
The Board delivers its duties through regular formal board meetings and through a small number of statutory and time-limited sub-committees.
Committee terms of reference:
Board meetings
Board meetings in 2018 will be held on:
- 21 February
- 2 May
- 20 June
- 18 July
- 12 September
- 7 November
- 5 December
Some board meetings are open to members of the public. To register your attendance email naturalenglandcorrespondenceunit@naturalengland.org.uk or telephone 0300 060 3900.
Minutes of board meetings (published after confirmation at next meeting):
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The
detail the procedures which govern the conduct of board meetings.Senior Leadership Team
- James Cross, Chief Executive
- Alan Law, Chief Strategy and Reform Officer
- Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist
- Julie Lunt, Chief Legal and Governance Officer
The Senior Leadership Team operate within the decision-making framework set out in the: