The Office of Environmental Governance Wales (OEGW) is a new, independent statutory body, established under Part 2 of the Act. Its purpose is to ensure that environmental law in Wales is effective, coherent, and properly implemented. The OEGW will sit above the front-line regulators providing strategic oversight of the effectiveness, application and implementation as well as any failures by public authorities to comply with environmental law.
The intention is for The OEGW to be operational, exercising all of its functions in January
2028 and will have a workforce of around 31 when fully resourced. Its core functions are to:
Monitor and report on compliance
The OEGW will monitor how Welsh Ministers, NRW, local authorities and other public bodies comply with, implement and apply environmental law and will report publicly on their performance.
Provide advice, guidance and assistance
The OEGW may provide advice, guidance and assistance to Welsh Ministers on the operation, effectiveness and improvement of environmental law in Wales, supporting evidence based, long term policymaking. The OEGW may provide advice, guidance and assistance to any person on matters relating to environmental law.
Investigate concerns and address non compliance through enforcement
Where there is evidence of public bodies failing to comply with environmental law, concerns relating to how environmental law is implemented and applied or its effectiveness, The OEGW will be able to investigate and, if necessary, issue:
Information Notices, Compliance Notices, including urgent notices, and Apply to the High Court for an order requiring action where a public authority has failed to comply with a compliance notice for orders requiring action. These powers enable proportionate, escalating action.
Support improvement
The OEGW may produce improvement reports where concerns relating to environmental matters are deemed to be strategic in nature and would not be dealt with effectively by a compliance notice. The Welsh Ministers are required to respond with an improvement plan to address the recommendations in the report.
Independence and governance
The OEGW will be an independent statutory oversight body, led by a Chair, Deputy Chair, Chief Executive, up to 5 non Executive Board Members, and a supporting staff team. It will hold public authorities, as defined in the Act, and including the Welsh Ministers, to account, in respect of their environmental obligations through powers provided to it in the Act.
Job description
The successful post holder will:
• Lead the establishment and ongoing development of the Office of Environmental Governance,
shaping its organisational strategy, structure, operating model and culture in accordance with its
statutory functions under the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets)
(Wales) Act 2026 (the Act).
• Provide visible, inspirational and strategic leadership, building a high-performing, accountable and
engaged workforce focused on delivering the organisation’s mission, objectives and statutory
duties.
• Work closely with the Board to set strategic priorities, deliver the organisation’s statutory functions,
and ensure effective governance, transparency, accountability and organisational performance.
• Serve as the public face of the organisation, building credibility and trust with stakeholders and
representing the organisation confidently in public, political and professional settings.
• Oversee the effective and proportionate use of the organisation’s enforcement powers, ensuring
compliance and improvement activity is evidence-based, aligned with legislative requirements, and
operates within a structured escalation framework that prioritises early engagement and resolution.
• Act as Chief Accounting Officer, ensuring sound financial management, value for money, and the
effective stewardship of public resources.
• Direct the delivery of the strategic plan, ensuring resources are prioritised effectively and
organisational objectives are achieved.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement by challenging traditional approaches,
encouraging collaboration across sectors, and embedding evidence-informed practice.
• Foster an inclusive organisational culture that champions equality, diversity and inclusion in all
aspects of the organisation’s work.
• Strengthen the effectiveness of environmental governance and compliance by providing strategic
oversight and working collaboratively with Welsh Ministers, public authorities, environmental bodies
and other stakeholders.
Person specification
Essential Criteria for the CEO
• We are looking for a CEO who has experience or skills with one or more of the following disciplines:- Environmental law and policy- Environmental science- Investigatory and enforcement proceedings
• Demonstrated success in leading organisations operating in complex regulatory environments through significant change and transformation, providing strategic direction, setting clear priorities, and delivering measurable results that support organisational goals.
• Strong background in overseeing day-to-day operations, resource management, and performance delivery. You will have excellent leadership skills with the proven ability to successfully deliver a wide-reaching programme of change.
• An exceptional ability to communicate and build relationships at all levels, generating confidence, respect, and collaborative working while maintaining and reinforcing the independence and integrity of the body. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, including the ability to negotiate, persuade, and influence appropriately, balancing constructive engagement with objective and independent decision-making.
• A track record of developing an inclusive organisational culture and role-modelling purposeful, authentic and inclusive leadership.
• Resilient with a strong track record of operating effectively in uncertain and complex environments, building and retaining the trust and confidence of Welsh Ministers, partners and communities.
• Proven experience of effectively managing finances for an organisation and ensuring all matters relating to budgets, funding, HR, governance and procurement are effectively reported to the Board.
• Strong analytical capability and sound judgement, with the ability to interpret complex information and apply it effectively in decision making, alongside a clear understanding of the role and importance of core principles in shaping policy.
• Clear understanding of and a commitment to Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’.
