The Trent, Southern and North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) Chair appointments have been announced.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is pleased to announce, following the recent recruitment campaign, the appointments of
- David Hickman as the new Chair for the Trent RFCC;
- Dave Throup as the new Chair for the Southern RFCC; and
- Elizabeth Grey as the new Chair for the North West RFCC.
RFCCs help to provide governance for the Environment Agency’s FCERM functions and cover all flood risks that are not the responsibility of the water companies. They have three main purposes
- to ensure there are coherent plans for identifying, communicating and managing flood and coastal erosion risks across catchments and shorelines.
- to promote efficient, targeted and risk-based investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management that optimises value for money and benefits for local communities.
- to provide a link between the Environment Agency, lead local flood authorities, other risk management authorities, and other relevant bodies to engender mutual understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks in its area.
These appointments have been made on merit in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be declared.
The Trent appointment will be from 6 February 2026 to 5 February 2029, Southern will be from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029, North West will be from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029. All attract a remuneration of £18,927 per annum for a commitment of five days per month.
Background details on the new RFCC Chairs
Trent RFCC Chair appointment – David Hickman
David Hickman has over twenty years of experience as a manager and head of service in the public sector, specialising since 2010 in flood risk and environmental partnership, strategy and policy development.
He is an independent consultant, currently working with a local authority in the East Midlands to develop a strategic environmental partnership, and was previously Head of Environment at Lincolnshire County Council, and then Deputy Chief Executive at the Water Management Consortium. Having led the creation of the Lincolnshire Flood Risk Management Partnership, David has also served as Vice-Chairman to the North-Eastern Coastal Group, local authority member of the Environment Agency’s Strategy and National Adaptation Portfolio Board, flood risk advisor to the Local Government Association and Defra, participating in a number of policy advisory groups.
As a Director on the Board of the Association of Drainage Authorities David represented local authorities across the country. At the same time, he was Vice-Chairman and then Chairman of the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership.
David has lived for many years in various parts of the region, so has a good understanding of local issues, and worked closely with the Anglian (Northern) RFCC for over 12 years. He was awarded a PhD in cultural history by the University of London in 1996 and has been a Practitioner Member of ISEP since 2010.
Southern RFCC Chair appointment – Dave Throup
Dave Throup is a strategic environmental leader with over 30 years of experience across public and private sectors at local, regional, and national levels. His career has been driven by a passionate commitment to climate resilience and environmental protection, including two decades as the Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
During his time at the Agency, Dave served as an incident commander during numerous nationally significant floods and environmental emergencies. A seasoned media spokesperson, he has provided critical risk and public safety advice to audiences of millions during major crises.
A specialist in building collaborative partnerships, Dave chaired the Worcestershire Local Nature Partnership and its predecessors for 12 years, successfully aligning the strategic priorities of statutory agencies, local government, and NGOs.
Since retiring in 2021, Dave has continued to champion climate action as a Trustee for the Heart of England Forest and as a visiting lecturer at several universities. In 2022, he was awarded a Fellowship of the University of Worcester in recognition of his lifelong commitment to addressing flood risk and climate change.
North West RFCC Chair appointment – Elizabeth (Liz) Grey
Liz Grey is a senior councillor in the North West, and is currently Chair of Wirral Council’s Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, with experience in place-based decision-making and community leadership. Her work has included contributing to decisions on infrastructure, transport, regeneration and environmental issues, working with local stakeholders, partner agencies and regional bodies.
A UN-trained climate change teacher, she has worked in education for over 28 years, including in leadership roles, and this experience has shaped her understanding of effective engagement and communication.
Liz lives in the North West and has a strong personal connection to the region’s waterways and coastline. She enjoys kayaking, cycling and open-water swimming, and appreciates the role that water and nature can play in community resilience and wellbeing.