The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the interim chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Cath Denholm, has had her appointment extended.

Denholm’s visit will last until December 30, 2024or until a substantive chairman is appointed after the public nomination procedure.

She has been a member of the committee since April 2022, previously serving as vice-chairman.

Denholm’s interim appointment was made in April 2024 on an exceptional and non-competitive basis, after consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee is the UK Government’s sole statutory adviser on nature, working with the four nations of the UK and its Overseas and Crown Dependencies.

It provides sound scientific evidence and advice to help decision-makers transform science into conservation action.

Cath Denholm

Denholm joined the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) as executive director of corporate services in June 2020.

From September 2023 to March 2024, she served as interim CEO of EHRC, and returned to the position of COO in April 2024.

Previously, Denholm worked for over 20 years in NHS Scotland in both management and strategic roles in primary care, GP assessment and public health.

He is also a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Denholm previously served on the NatureScot board since 2016 and was vice-chairman from 2019 to March 2022.

Her overarching professional interests include human rights, public service leadership, and cross-sector partnerships to achieve equitable access for all and a nature-rich future.