Nigel Reader
After leaving Cambridge University with an MA in Modern and Medieval Languages, Nigel chose to pursue an accountancy qualification. He quickly established his credentials with Brooke Bond Oxo, winning two national prizes with CIMA. He progressed internally and was given a role as Company Accountant for a division of Brooke Bond Oxo based in the West Country.
Following a year with Standard Telephone and Cable, Nigel joined the newly formed Wessex Water and held a number of senior financial management positions. When Wessex Water was privatised he took the public option rather than the more lucrative private one and sought a position in the newly formed National Rivers Authority. He joined as Regional General Manager (Wessex), and two years later was promoted to the position of Director of Finance.
When the Environment Agency was created he was appointed as Director of Finance, a role that he continued in for the next 14 years, until his planned retirement at the end of October 2009.
Since 1999 he has also been a board member of the international development charity, Water Aid. During his tenure here he has been the Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominations Committee.
He was appointed to the board of Natural England for a three year term from 1st June 2011 and will take over as Audit and Risk Committee Chair in October.
Nigel was awarded the CBE for services to the environment in 2003.
Nigel also chairs the Audit and Risk Committee.