Non-Executive Director - Animal & Plant Health Agency (Animals and Plants)

The Animal and Plant Health Agency are seeking a Non-Executive Director with experience and working knowledge in science and has a track record in research to join the APHA Steering Board.

About the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

APHA plays a crucial role in protecting the UK’s biosecurity. It delivers functions that are critical to animal and plant health, and which in turn secures human health and confidence in the food supply chain. The regulatory underpinning provided by the Agency is also integral to our ability to be a successful food trading nation.

You will find APHA staff at the border, on farms and in world-leading laboratories. All of them are delivering on our mission to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of everyone in society, the environment and the economy.

APHA is a world-leading Agency, respected around the world and at the farm gate. It is on a transformation journey, modernising and digitising its operation to continue to rise to the challenges of biosecurity risks in a global world, and the opportunities of developments in science and technology.

To become an APHA Non-Executive Director you will need to bring vision, inspirational leadership and a track record of success in a complex environment to make sure the Agency continues to deliver its pivotal role to the UK’s biosecurity.

Across Government and externally too, you will need to be able to carry the confidence of a broad variety of stakeholders.

Non-Executive Director – Animal & Plant Health Agency (Animals and Plants)

Number of vacancies – 1

Time commitment – Adhoc

Remuneration – £500 per day

Length of term – 3 years

Application deadline – Midday on 13 September 2026

Organisation description

APHA Steering Board

The Steering Board is an advisory body to the Agency’s Accounting Officer and has no executive powers or responsibilities – its role is to challenge and support the Executive in delivering strategy and customer objectives and achieving value for money. Critical to the effectiveness of the Steering Board is its ability to influence its stakeholders and to bring its collective wisdom to help to constantly improve the work and reputation of the Agency.

All our non-executives contribute to the Board’s work and the achievement of its objectives through Board meetings, and other tasks assigned by the Chair.

As a Non-Executive Board member, you will:

attend all Steering Board meetings and maintain a high level of discussion and debate;
provide advice about strategy and delivery to the Agency’s customers;
ensure issues are explored from a range of viewpoints, promoting inclusion and engaging with stakeholders when necessary;
review and provide advice about performance, respecting the principles of good governance, supporting and holding the Executive to account without becoming involved in the running of the business;
make well informed contributions to debate and discussion at Board meetings to aid collective decision-making;
maintain high personal standards in relation to personal behaviour and uphold the Nolan principles of public life.

The Steering Board is chaired by Elizabeth Buchanan CVO, APHA’s Lead Non-Executive Director. The Steering Board comprises of four other Non-Execs, the APHA Chief Executive, the APHA Directors, Defra sponsor and representation from the Welsh and Scottish Government. We are looking for a candidate who will bring diversity of thought to the work of the Steering Board, who can demonstrate a passion for our work while bringing real expertise in plant health.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Science and research expertise:

We are looking for a scientist with a track record of expertise in research and the application of research into practice which has improved the monitoring and control of diseases, pests and populations. You will be critical in supporting the APHA’s role and to act as an ambassador for the Agency.

The successful candidate will have good understanding of livestock farming and biodiversity. Strong communication skills will be important to explain how APHA develops and uses science to a wide range of stakeholders. These skills are essential for identifying threats, enforcing legislation, and collaborating with stakeholders to protect animal health and address the wider nature crisis.

You will have a distinct advantage if you have experience of working with or managing research in high containment facilities. These skills are important to support APHA to develop skills and capabilities while maximising the exploitation of the laboratories being built in the new National Biosecurity Centre at Weybridge.

One or more of the following technical skills required:

Epidemiology: how pests and diseases behave and can be controlled in farmed and wild populations
Laboratory sciences: fundamental understanding of how pathogens behave, development of new diagnostic tools and vaccines
Data skills: analysis of large datasets to improve decision making at speed
Practical knowledge and an interest in improving control of existing, emerging and new disease risks in animals nationally and internationally

The successful candidate will be expected to attend up to six Steering Board meetings a year, meet regularly with the Steering Board chair and other APHA Non-Executives, work closely with the APHA Director of Science and the APHA lead for the National Biosecurity Centre. This post will also be expected to act as Chair of the Agency’s Science Advisory Board. This position will be for approx. 30 days per annum.

How to Apply

To help you succeed, we have provided application guidance on our public appointments campaign page. In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in. Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all applicants are required to provide:

equality information (including the option of ‘prefer not to say’)
information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
a supporting statement
a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate. You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

If you require any adjustments or have questions about the process, you should contact the team as early as possible using the email listed under ‘Contact details’ at the end of the advertisement.

You will be asked to provide your