Sir John Harman

John was one of the original Shadow Board members of the Environment Agency and became its Chairman in 2000, a post from which he retired in June 2008. His tenure as Chairman saw fundamental reshaping of both Flood Risk and Environmental Protection policy and a significant extension of the Agency's duties at a time of sharply growing awareness of the reality of climate change.

Prior to that, he had 20 years of local government experience, 13 as Leader of Kirklees Metropolitan Council, and had a leading role in the national associations of local government.

A graduate of Manchester University, he started his working life as a teacher of mathematics in sixth form colleges. He enjoys music and gardening and lives in Huddersfield with his wife Sue and a Huddersfield Town season ticket.