Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has selected Lisa Tennant as the Government's preferred candidate to succeed Alan Lovell as Chair of the Environment Agency, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs announced on 30 October 2026. The selection followed a process conducted under the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The EFRA Select Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee were due to hold a joint pre-appointment hearing on 11 November 2026 and report on Ms Tennant's suitability. Subject to that report and the Environment Secretary's final decision, she would take up the post on 1 January 2027 for a four-year term. Alan Lovell's term as Chair ends on 31 December 2026.

Ms Tennant is Chair of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and chairs the NHS Pension Board for England and Wales. She is also Regional Energy Strategic Plan Chair for Scotland at the National Energy System Operator and a Non-Executive Director of Smart Energy GB. Her previous roles include Non-Executive Director of the Consumer Council for Water and membership of the Scottish Land Fund Committee.