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Our Board

The Board is responsible for the overall direction and performance of our organisation, including our efficiency and effectiveness as a public body.

The Chair is responsible for overall leadership, and is personally responsible to Scottish Ministers. More information is contained in SEPA's framework with Scottish Government.

Board members come from a variety of business, environmental and health backgrounds, and bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise, as well as passion for environmental issues, all of which helps us to deliver our statutory purpose.

Appointments to our Board are made by Scottish Ministers and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. Appointments are normally for a three or four-year term with the possibility of a further term, subject to evidence of effective performance and satisfying the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required on the Board at the time of re-appointment.

Board responsibilities

• Establishing the overall strategic direction of the organisation within the policy and resources framework agreed with the responsible Minister.
• Overseeing the delivery of planned results by monitoring performance of the organisation against agreed objectives and targets.
• Ensuring that we operate sound environmental policies in relation to our own operations.
• Demonstrating high standards of corporate governance at all times.
  Ensuring that statutory requirements for the use of public funds are complied with.

A full description of our Board’s role and responsibilities is detailed within its standing orders. Additionally, Board members are required to comply with the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

SEPA Committees

Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee

The Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee is convened by the Board to monitor and review risk, control and corporate governance.

Members are appointed to the Committee by the Board under the terms of the organisation’s Standing Orders, to assist and advise it in undertaking its responsibilities.

It receives reports from internal and external auditors and SEPA officers. The Committee is governed by its terms of reference and remit.

People and Resources Committee

The purpose of the People and Resources Committee is to provide assurance to the Board that SEPA meets its obligations as an employer in relation to a range of people related matters including employee wellbeing, development and support, workforce planning, strategy development, and equalities and diversity. 

The Committee’s functions and duties are undertaken in these areas: 

• People; Salary, Rewards and Conditions of Service; Employee Relations.
• Transformation, providing oversight on the strategic direction and alignment of Transformation.
• Resources, providing ongoing scrutiny and review of financial strategy, annual revenue and capital budgets.

The committee is governed by its terms of reference.

Regulation and Science Committee

The Regulation and Science Committee was set up in February 2026 to provide assurance to the Board that SEPA meets its obligations in delivering its two core statutory functions of environmental regulation and flood risk management, as set out in SEPA’s framework agreement with Scottish Government.

The committee will undertake scrutiny and regular review of these functions, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and Scottish Government requirements.

The Committee’s remit covers these areas: 

• Regulatory Strategy.
• Evidence and monitoring.
• Use of environmental data.
• State of the environment reporting.
• Future of regulation.
• Flooding Services.
• Research and innovation. 

The Committee is governed by its terms of reference.