Our rivers, seas and the ocean are facing significant global threats. These precious environments regulate our climate, are home to up to 80% of life on earth and provide essential resources that we all rely on. Many are now seriously degraded and communities around the world are facing the devastating consequences of climate change, biodiversity loss, energy and food insecurity, animal disease, and pollution.
Cefas, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, is an Executive Agency of Defra (the UK Government’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). Through innovative solutions and world leading applied science we work to ensure a sustainable future for our rivers, seas and the ocean, supporting healthy and productive marine and freshwater ecosystem.
Our 2030 strategy presents our priorities that will drive everything that we do today and into the future to 2030. It describes our ambitions as well as how we will achieve them. Our progress towards realising this ambition will be measured in our annual business plans which will include indicators that will show when we are succeeding https://www.cefas.co.uk/media/pigjxlwp/cefas-2030-final_accessible-31219.pdf
Why the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science is supporting Boardroom Apprentice
We passionately believe in offering opportunities for all, we discuss a broad range of organisational issues and opportunities during our management board meetings which would provide an apprentice with a good overview of how a government organisation with circa 650 staff operates. We are focused on the scientific work that we do informing policy and making real world impacts, ensuring that the work we do tries to tackle some of the most pressing global problems.
We have been fortunate to take part in the Boardroom Apprentice programme for the last two years and we value the opportunity to open the doors to our Cefas Management Board and provide experience in what it means to be on a Board. Our members are experienced, open and willing to help the Apprentice learn not only about Cefas but the Civil Service and Board membership more broadly. We recognise the importance of having diverse voices in the room and see this as a chance for us to hear from someone different, with views and experiences that we can also learn from.
Location of Board and Committee Meetings
Board meetings are in Weymouth, Lowestoft or London in person.
Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings
One per quarter for Board meetings although opportunity to join sub-board meetings online throughout the year.
Date of Board Meetings (January – December 2025)
January 2025, April 2025, July 2025, October 2025 Usually approximately 4 hours
Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January – December 2025)
Main Cefas Management Board, plus the associated sub-committees which also meet quarterly too. Dates to be confirmed.
Security checks
Yes, Baseline Personnel Security Standard check required.
Payment of travel expenses
Yes
