Category Archives: Andrew Sells

Chronicling the Sad Demise of Natural England

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Miles King

One of the more interesting consequences of having written a blog about Nature and politics for eight years, (aside from a short break between July 2012 and May 2013), is that you can look back at earlier ramblings, thoughts and … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, Natural England, Think Tanks | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Rearranging the deck chairs on the Natural England Titanic.

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Miles King

Natural England chairs come and go, and today’s publication of the advert inviting applicants to be the next chair, gives me an opportunity to look, once again, at the absolute state of Natural England. Some may feel all I do … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, badgers, countryside alliance, Europe, Habitats Directive, Natural England, SSSis, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Quoth the Raven: Never More.

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Miles King

On Friday last week Defra announced that Natural England chair Andrew Sells would be standing down in January 2019, a year earlier than had originally been planned. Sells joined the Natural England board in 2014 on his first 3 year … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, National Sheep Association, Natural England, Ravens, Sheep | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Michael Gove and the American Neoconservatives

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Miles King

Last week I wrote about Michael Gove’s surprise arrival as Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs. There is so much more to write about this, but time is limited and I will not be able to … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, Defra, deregulation, farm subsidies, Michael Gove, neoconservatism, neoliberalism, Policy Exchange, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

New additions to Defra Board will not upset Truss’s plans to cut Natural England or Environment Agency

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Miles King

Reading through the excellent CIEEM monthly policy briefing email, I noticed that Natural England Chair Andrew Sells and Environment Agency chair Sir Phillip Dilley, had recently joined the Defra Board in ex-officio capacities. Defra Board, in case you were wondering, … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, Defra, Liz Truss, lobbying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sells brings Cross to NE Board. Goodbye Doug Hulyer

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Miles King

The white smoke has appeared from the Natural England papal chimney – we now know who the new Natural England Chief Executive is – James Cross. He has arrived fresh from being the second CEO of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, Natural England, Uncategorized | Tagged | 7 Comments

Welcome to your new job Mr Sells

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Miles King

Andrew Sells starts as Chairman of Natural England on Monday (20th). If we could wave our magic wands and appear in his office that morning, what would we suggest to him as his top priorities? Some might suggest the Badger … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, badgers, biodiversity offsetting, Common Agricultural Policy, flooding, Matt Ridley, Owen Paterson | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Floods and SUDS

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Miles King

As the flood waters recede they reveal that the “Greenest Government Ever”‘s environmental credentials have finally all been washed away. The idea of Sustainable (Urban) Drainage Schemes, or SUDS has been around for a long time. I can remember arguing … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, flooding, Floodplains, greenspace, mental health, Owen Paterson, SUDS | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Revealed: who pays for the corporate lobbyist Think Tanks?

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Miles King

A little while ago (back in August) I asked readers of this blog to write to Chloe Smith MP, who at the time was guiding the Lobbying Bill through the House of Commons. This Bill was going to curtail all … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, Astroturfing, Charities campaigning, Charities Commission, corporate lobbying, George Monbiot, Policy Exchange, Think Tanks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Seeing the wood for the Trees

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Miles King

  Natural England chair designate Andrew Sell’s wood I’ve written a fair bit over the past 3 years about Think Tanks. Are they a force for good? Most Think Tanks are on the right of the political spectrum – in … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, Charities campaigning, George Monbiot, neoliberalism, Policy Exchange, Think Tanks | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments