Back to Board members

Nicole Paterson

Chief Executive

As a multi-award winning leader with nearly three decades of experience across local government, consultancy, and environmental leadership, Nicole is driving change in SEPA focused on the core purpose to protect and improve Scotland’s environment. Her leadership is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to modern public services and service reform. She is steering SEPA to work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure an appropriate balance between environmental protection and sustainable economic growth. 

A Chartered Civil Engineer and graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Nicole is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Royal Society of Arts. She has led pioneering initiatives in climate change adaptation, biodiversity, flood risk management, transport policy, and green infrastructure, and contributed to major environmental initiatives. She continues to champion digital innovation, customer-focused service, and the Passion, Purpose, and Professionalism of SEPA’s people, ensuring Scotland’s environment and communities are protected for generations to come.

Register of interest

• Date of completion: 20 February 2026
• Board member: Nicole Paterson
• Signature: Signed by Nicole Paterson on 20 February 2026

Remuneration

Employment or self-employment (include registered name of the company, nature of the company, nature of business and nature of post held):

• None.

Holding an office (include office held, name of organisation, nature, and regularity of business):

• None.

As a director of an undertaking (include the registered name of the undertaking in which the directorship is held and the nature of the applicable business):

• None.

As a partner in a firm (include registered name of the company and nature of business):

• None.

Undertaking a trade, profession or vocation or any other work:

• Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
• Chartered Engineer registered with the Engineering Council.
• Fellow of the Institution of Highways and Transportation.
• Fellow of the Society of the Arts (FRSA).

Any allowance received through memberships of an organisation

All payments such as honoraria and including a statement of whether expenses are paid or not:

• None.

Related undertakings

A description of a directorship that is not remunerated but is of a company which is a parent or subsidiary of a company or undertaking which pays remuneration (include name of subsidiary or parent company or other undertaking and the nature of its business):

• None.

Contracts

A description of any contract (including its duration but excluding the consideration) which is made between the public body of which they are a member and a firm in which they are a partner, or an undertaking in which they are a director or in which they have shares:

• None.

Houses, land, and buildings

A description of any rights of ownership or other interests that may be significant to, of relevance to , or bear upon, the work or operation of the devolved public body:

• None.

Shares and securities

A description, but not value, of shares or securities in a company, undertaking or organisation that may be significant to, of relevance to, or bear upon, the work or operation of the devolved public body:

• None.

Gifts and hospitality

Details of any gifts and hospitality received within their current term of appointment of office:

• None.

Non-financial interests

A description of such interests as may be significant to, of relevance to, or bear upon, the work or operation of the devolved public body, including without prejudice to that generality membership of an office in:

• Other public bodies
  • None.
• Clubs, societies, and organisations
  • Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
  • Chartered Engineer registered with the Engineering Council.
  • Fellow of the Institution of Highways and Transportation.
  • Fellow of the Society of the Arts (FRSA).
• Trade unions
  • None.
• Voluntary organisations
  • None.

Close family members

A description of the interests of any close family member who has transactions with the devolved public body or is likely to have transactions or do business with it:

• Husband CEO of Scottish Canals (post commencing on 22 May 2023). Appropriate arrangements made internally within public body to avoid any potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
• A direct family member works within the aerospace industry.
• A direct family member works within the maritime industry.