SEPA chair Lisa Tennant named as preferred candidate to chair the Environment Agency

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has selected Lisa Tennant, chair of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), as the government's preferred candidate to chair the Environment Agency (GOV.UK). The choice was announced on 30 October and reported in the trade press on 2 November (Water Magazine).

What we know

• Hearing: the EFRA and Environmental Audit committees hold a joint pre-appointment hearing on 11 November.
• Start date: subject to the committees' reports and a final decision by the Environment Secretary, Tennant would start on 1 January 2027 for a four-year term.
• Handover: Alan Lovell's term ends on 31 December 2026 (GOV.UK).

Defra's announcement lists her current roles as SEPA chair, chair of the NHS Pension Board for England and Wales, Regional Energy Strategic Plan Chair for Scotland at the National Energy System Operator, and non-executive director of Smart Energy GB. She also led the independent review of the NHS Pensions McCloud Remedy. Earlier roles include non-executive director of the Consumer Council for Water and non-executive adviser to Forestry and Land Scotland. Her early career was in business leadership and consultancy on community land ownership, conservation and food tourism. The announcement contains no quotes from Tennant or ministers.

Background

Tennant became SEPA chair in January 2024, appointed by the Scottish Government for a term running to 31 December 2027 (SEPA). SEPA's announcement at the time also cited regulatory experience at the Energy and Communications Ombudsman and the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal.

Lovell took the EA chair in September 2022 and served an extended term. His departure at the end of 2026 was announced in June, with a recruitment process over the summer (GOV.UK).

The context is the January 2026 white paper. It proposes abolishing Ofwat and bringing the water functions of Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the EA and Natural England into one new regulator. Existing regulators keep their full powers until that body is set up, and the EA will receive a ministerial direction alongside a Transition Plan (GOV.UK).

The new chair inherits a weak performance picture. The EA's 2025 assessment gave water companies 16 stars out of 36, the lowest total since ratings began (Environment Agency). Chief executive Philip Duffy has said the agency is "stepping up inspections and enforcement" (GOV.UK).

What we don't know yet

Defra has not said whether Tennant would step down from SEPA, or from her other roles, if appointed. Her term at SEPA runs a year beyond her proposed EA start date. The announcement also gives no detail on remuneration or time commitment.

What to watch

• The 11 November hearing, especially questions on enforcement, the water transition and other commitments.
• The committees' reports and Dame Angela Eagle's final decision.
• How the EA's water role is set out in the Transition Plan and the Water Bill.