Juniper appointed Natural England chair

Environment secretary, Michael Gove, has confirmed the appointment of Tony Juniper CBE as the new chair of Natural England. He will take up the role on the 23 April.

Juniper will stand down from his current posts as executive director for advocacy and campaigns at WWF-UK and president of Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and cease his membership of the Green Party during his time as Natural England chair. Earlier, in fulfilling a statutory requirement, Juniper made a political declaration to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environmental Audit Committees that he was a member of the Green Party, but he did not declare any significant political activity in the past five years.

Natural England is the government’s statutory advisor for the natural environment in England. Gove said Natural England has “a key part to play in the government’s 25 year plan for the environment and ensuring we can protect nature for future generations.”

Juniper said, My aim will be to celebrate, protect and deepen the impact of Natural England’s excellent work, not only for the sake of our wildlife and beautiful landscapes, but also for the huge benefits that our success brings for society.”