Caroline May appointed as non-executive director of the Office for Environmental Protection

Caroline May, Norton Rose Fulbright’s  Sustainability Partner and Head of Environment, Health & Safety, Europe, Middle East and Asia, has been named as the non-executive director of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP).

The OEP was created as public body in November 2021, as a result of the Environment Act 2021. Chaired by Dame Glenys Stacey the OEP was formed by the previous UK government to protect and improve the environment by holding the government and other public authorities to account to ensure the implementation of environmental law in England and Northern Ireland and to respond to government consultation and provide policy guidance.

As non-executive director of the OEP, Caroline will join the Board supporting on the future strategy of the OEP and provide independent oversight to the executive management of the OEP liaising with Ministers and government departments.

Caroline is Chair of the Law Society Climate Change Committee which produced the world’s first professional services guidance on climate change. She is Honorary President of the Legal Sustainability Alliance and a former Director of leading sustainability NGO, the Aldersgate Group. She is a Freeman of the City of London and is listed in the Ends Power List 2024 as well as a Green Ambassador for the UK by Legal 500 and is listed in the Guide to the World’s leading environmental lawyers.

Caroline May commented:

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be appointed as the non-executive director of the Office for Environmental Protection. It is incredibly important to me to help guide and support this vital public organisation as its impact and vital contribution continues to grow. There has never been a more important time for leadership in environmental law."

The OEP and DEFRA announcement can be found here.