Tony Juniper reappointed as chair of Natural England for a third term

Photo credit: Jason Bye

Defra has reappointed Tony Juniper CBE as chair of Natural England, for a third term.

First appointed in 2019, Juniper will become the longest serving chair of Natural England, the Government’s statutory adviser on nature. He will continue in the role for two years, from 23 April 2025 to 22 April 2027.

Defra highlighted that the reappointment comes as environment secretary Steve Reed is "rewiring Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to embark on an ambitious programme of reforming regulation and delivery to unleash economic growth across the country, with Natural England playing a major role”. This includes through planning reforms and the creation of a Nature Restoration Fund, which Natural England is likely to administer.

Reed commented: "Tony and I are fully committed to infrastructure, to housing, to growth. Our reforms will fast-track development to boost economic growth while funding large-scale environmental improvements across whole landscapes as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.”