The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is a public body established under the Environment Act 2021, with the mission to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account. Established in November 2021, the OEP operates across England and Northern Ireland, focusing on a wide range of environmental issues including air quality, water quality, biodiversity, and climate change. The OEP’s primary role is to ensure that environmental laws are properly implemented and enforced, providing independent oversight and scrutiny of public authorities’ actions. This includes investigating complaints about potential breaches of environmental law, offering advice and guidance, and taking enforcement action when necessary.
One of the key functions of the OEP is to monitor and report on the progress of the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), ensuring that the targets set out in the plan are met. The OEP also plays a crucial role in advising on the development of new environmental policies and legislation, drawing on its expertise to influence decision-making processes. In addition to its regulatory and advisory roles, the OEP engages with the public and stakeholders to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote best practices.
The OEP’s work is underpinned by a commitment to transparency and accountability. It publishes regular reports and updates on its activities, investigations, and findings, making this information accessible to the public. This openness helps to build trust and confidence in the OEP’s work, ensuring that it remains a credible and authoritative voice on environmental matters. The OEP also collaborates with other environmental bodies and organisations, to share knowledge and best practices, and to strengthen the overall framework for environmental protection.
Overall, the OEP plays a vital role in safeguarding the environment for current and future generations. By ensuring that environmental laws are upheld and that public authorities are held to account, the OEP helps to drive improvements in environmental quality and sustainability across England and Northern Ireland.

Dame Glenys Stacey Chair

Natalie Prosser Chief Executive

Why the Office for Environmental Protection is supporting Boardroom Apprentice

Our mission is to protect and improve the environment for all of England and Northern Ireland, and the communities in it. Our Board is experienced, expert and high-performing drawn from those with enviable careers in regulation, environmental policy and science. It provides a strong environment for a candidate to learn governance, decision-making in the public sector and how organisations seek to effect influence for public benefit. The environmental sector is known to have challenges in its diversity – in a number of dimensions including race and socio-economic backgrounds. Our board wants to play its full part to support this to change – including by supporting a diverse range of people the pathways to leadership and influential roles in the sector, and public sector governance more broadly. We also hope a candidate will offer a distinct voice to our board discussions, providing a different perspective within our effective governance and leadership today.

Location of Board and Committee Meetings

We hold most of our meetings online but will periodically host them on-site at our Worcester office. Once or twice a year we may host it at a venue off-site to engage with stakeholders.

Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings

Meetings are held every 6 weeks and generally take place between 9-2. We do occasionally hold an interim meeting at the midpoint between Board meetings if there is urgent business to attend to.

Date of Board Meetings (January – December 2025)

Every 3 weeks from 15 January 2025 (the first being an Extraordinary meeting).

Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January - December 2025)

We have an audit and risk assurance committee that meets quarterly running from January to December

Security checks

The Boardroom apprentice would be subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. BPSS checks to verify their identity, employment history, right to work, medical history, eligibility to work for the Civil Service, under the nationality rules and unspent criminal convictions.

Payment of travel expenses

Yes