U.K., Nov. 6 -- UK Parliament issued the following news:

The EFRA and Environmental Audit committees will jointly hold a pre-appointment hearing with the Government's preferred candidate to become Chair of the Environment Agency (EA), Lisa Tennant .

MPs from both cross-party Committees will question Tennant on her experience and suitability for the role, as well as her personal independence and her ability to bring scrutiny and accountability to the EA's executive.

She is likely to be asked about overseeing the government's proposal to merge the water sector regulators, which will lead to major changes of the EA's form and function.

There may be questions about recruitment and retention in the EA, how the organisation could contribute to the government's economic growth agenda, and improving transparency around compliance and auditing of data relating to wastewater discharges.

MPs may also be interested to ask about the EA's future work in tackling air pollution, monitoring of PFAS 'forever chemicals' in waterways, and working with communities on climate adaptations to protect them from flooding and wildfires.

Tennant is currently Chair of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the EA's equivalent body in Scotland. She also chairs the NHS Pension Board for England and Wales and is the Regional Energy Strategic Plan Chair for Scotland at the National Energy System Operator. More information about her professional background is available here .

The role of Chair entails working three days a week and remuneration is £100,000 a year.

Subject to a final decision by the Secretary of State, Tennant would take up the post on 1 January 2027 for a four-year term. Alan Lovell's term as EA Chair will end on 31 December.

Pre-appointment hearings are held by select committees for certain public appointments before the appointment is formally made. The hearings assess the candidate's suitability for the post. They are usually followed by a report that either endorses or raises concerns about the appointment. Committees do not have the authority to stop a candidate from being offered a post.

Further information

Evidence session event page

About Parliament: Select committees

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