8.1346 – GAD – Photography of Management Board

Photo of Les Philpott (sourced from https://www.gov.uk/government/people/les-philpott)

Les Philpott has been appointed as the new Chair of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the UK government announced on July 30. His three-year term will begin on August 7, 2025.

Philpott currently serves as Chair of the Government Actuary’s Department, Lead Non-Executive Board Member at the Northern Ireland Office, and Non-Executive Director of Benenden Healthcare Society Ltd. He previously held the position of CEO at the Office for Nuclear Regulation and senior roles at the Health and Safety Executive.

Minister for Fisheries Daniel Zeichner thanked interim chair Tony Delahunty for his service since November 2024, stating: “I am very grateful to Tony Delahunty for his dedication and leadership as Interim Chair of the Marine Management Organisation.” Zeichner added: “I look forward to working closely with Les Philpott to continue delivering this important mission.”

The MMO is responsible for protecting marine environments while enabling sustainable economic growth through responsible use of UK seas, including implementing marine management plans, licensing marine works, and managing UK fishing fleet capacity and quotas.

The government confirmed that the appointment has been made in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments, with all appointments made on merit.