Appointment of New Chief Executive at Natural England: A Fresh Chapter Ahead

Neil Hornby has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Natural England, following a thorough recruitment process conducted by the organisation’s board and sanctioned by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Hornby is set to officially take up his position at Natural England in the autumn, ensuring a seamless transition after the retirement of Marian Spain. He currently serves as the Chief Executive of Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science), where he has honed his leadership skills.

Pivotal Role in Nature Conservation

He joins Natural England at a crucial juncture as the organisation advances its new strategy, “Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security.” This strategy encompasses significant initiatives such as the Nature Restoration Fund and Landscape Recovery, among other vital projects aimed at environmental restoration and sustainable development.

In his own words, Hornby expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “Natural England has a vital mission: championing nature for the benefit of our health, wellbeing, and economy. It’s a huge honour to be able to build on Marian’s impressive legacy and the successes of Natural England in restoring nature, unlocking sustainable growth, and ensuring that everyone, wherever they live, can benefit from nature.”

Support from Government Officials

The Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds, also weighed in on Hornby’s appointment, thanking Marian Spain for her years of dedicated service to Natural England. Reynolds welcomed Hornby to the role and extended her best wishes for his success in balancing nature recovery with economic growth.

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, shared his delight at Hornby’s appointment during this critical period for the organisation. He noted, “Having seen his achievements at Cefas and at the Rural Payments Agency, I have no doubt that Natural England will benefit from his vast expertise and experience.”

Background and Experience

Neil Hornby has been leading Cefas since February 2021. Prior to this, he served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Payments Agency from June 2025 until January 2026. His extensive career in public service includes several senior roles within central government, most recently as Director of Marine and Fisheries at Defra. His previous responsibilities have included steering policies related to flood management and nuclear energy.

About Natural England

Natural England acts as the government’s advisor on the natural environment in England. Marian Spain has been at the helm as Chief Executive since 2018 and will continue in her position until her retirement in the autumn of 2026. The recruitment process for Hornby’s role was conducted in accordance with the Civil Service principles of open and fair competition.