New Board Members confirmed – strengthening SEPA’s leadership
Date published: 08 January 2026
Three new members are welcomed to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Board in 2026. Lisa Blackett, Kate Lander and Paul Rooney have been appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy as Members of the Board of the SEPA, bringing valuable experience and insight that will support us in delivering for Scotland’s environment.
SEPA's Board plays a vital role in ensuring strong governance and direction helping to achieve its mission to protect and improve Scotland’s environment. Members share a variety of backgrounds and expertise, and the new members bring experience from across public and business sectors, including health, education, finance and regulation, and in public governance.
Lisa Tennant, Chair of SEPA's board said:
“As Chair of SEPA I am delighted to welcome Lisa, Kate and Paul as they join our Board at an important time for the Agency. They will bring rich and varied experience to our team, and I look forward to working alongside them and our fellow board members, focused on the future protection and improvement of the environment of Scotland.”
The SEPA Board is responsible for the overall direction and performance of the Agency in meeting its Statutory Purpose: to protect and improve the environment in ways that, as far as possible, also create health and wellbeing benefits and sustainable economic growth.
Board appointments are made by Scottish Ministers and regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.
Notes to editors
- Please visit Public Appointments Scotland’s website for the full press release and further information:
- Further information on SEPA and our Board can be found on our website:
Lisa Blackett
Lisa Blackett is a leadership coach and facilitator, with over thirty years’ diverse and global experience across electronics, pharmaceutical and medical device industries as well as SMEs and the NHS. Her areas of expertise are individual and organisational wellbeing and resilience, communication, social and interpersonal dynamics, diversity, and leadership development. She is also active locally and nationally to facilitate environmental awareness, learning and action in NHS Scotland.
Kate Lander
Kate Lander spent her career of over 30 years in education and financial services, initially qualifying as an accountant, then as a Chartered Financial Analyst. Her roles saw her teaching finance across the UK and globally, before running a fixed income desk for a global bank. After leaving banking, Kate returned to education in a number of leadership roles at Fitch Learning, LTG and more recently as CEO of Ivy House. She served for six years on the Board, and as Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee, for the Office for Students between 2017 and 2023.
Paul Rooney
Paul Rooney is an experienced non-executive director with expertise in governance, audit and risk oversight, financial stewardship and digital transformation. He has held senior public appointments including City Treasurer of Glasgow City Council, Chair of the Strathclyde Pension Fund, and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee of the Scottish Police Authority. A qualified solicitor and MBA graduate, he provides strategic advisory leadership to organisations in regulated environments to strengthen resilience, digital capability and financial inclusion. Paul will also chair SEPA’s Audit and Risk Committee.