Marine Management Organisation Chair reappointed

News story

Hilary Florek has been reappointed as Chair of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

A photograph of Hilary Florek at a desk

Hilary Florek has been reappointed as Chair of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). Her second term is for two years and ten months and will run from 8 April 2021 to 7 February 2024. Her remuneration is £40,459.77 per annum based on a time commitment of eight days a month.

The reappointment has been made in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be declared. Hilary has declared that she has not taken part in any significant political activity in the past five years.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) established in April 2010 and given powers under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The MMO has a wide range of responsibilities, which include implementing plan-led marine management, licensing marine works and managing UK fishing fleet capacity and UK fisheries quotas.

Biographical details

Hilary Florek is a strategic communications and marketing specialist with extensive experience in both the public and private sector. Having joined the Board of the Port of Tyne in 2008, she was Deputy Chairman for three years before becoming Chairman from 2014 to 2017. Previously PR and Communications Director for the Vaux Group PLC, she established her own marketing consultancy, HFPR Ltd, in 2000. She currently serves as Chair of North East Access to Finance and is a Trustee of the North Music Trust at the Sage, Gateshead, a music centre with an international profile. She is also a Board member of Lawnmowers Independent Theatre company run by, and for, people with Learning difficulties.

Hilary has served as non-executive director on the boards of the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and the County Durham Foundation. She is also a former Trustee of the Sunderland Youth Enterprise Trust and was a Board Member of Project North East.

Published 30 March 2021



Minister for Women and Equalities reappoints Scotland Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

News story

Lesley Sawers has been reappointed as Scotland Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Photo of Lesley Sawers, Scotland Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Professor Lesley Sawers has been reappointed by Liz Truss, the Minister for Women and Equalities, as Scotland Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) until March 2025. She has been in this role since March 2016.

The EHRC is Great Britain’s designated equality body and ‘A-rated’ National Human Rights Institution.

Professor Lesley Sawers has thirty years’ experience working in the public, private and third sector. Her skills and experience include work on strategy, organisational change, executive management, socio-economic development, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement.

Lesley Sawers said:

“As Great Britain continues to navigate the pandemic, and as we consider our recovery and renewal, EHRC has a crucial role to ensure that equality and human rights are at the centre of our shared vision to build our society and our economy back better, fairer and stronger.

“I am delighted to be reappointed as the Scotland Commissioner for EHRC and Chair of the Commission’s Scotland Committee, and I look forward to the task ahead.”

Additional information:

  • The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It is an independent body responsible for protecting and promoting equality and human rights in Great Britain. It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution.
  • Details of board members and further information is available online.

Published 30 March 2021



Defence outlines greener future

Following on from a landmark report undertaken by Lieutenant General Richard Nugee commissioned by the MOD, the Department means to refresh and renew its approach, building on the work already achieved across defence.

Defence aims to champion a culture of sustainability across its community, by mitigating environmental impact whilst maintaining critical military outputs.

By 2050, and as part of the UK-wide Climate Change Strategy, defence aims to:

  • adapt, fight and win in ever more hostile and unforgiving physical environments
  • contribute to the UK’s net zero by 2050 target by reducing emissions and scaling up the transition to renewables
  • act and be recognised as a global leader both in responding to the emerging geopolitical and conflict-related threats being exacerbated by climate change and is addressing carbon emissions.

The approach also outlines defence’s vision for deployed military technologies being fit for the future. This will include increased use of material recycle for fuel and components, advancing maintenance methods to reduce waste and footprint and the continued rollout of the electric vehicle fleet.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:

The threat posed by climate change is one that affects us all and for defence, it will deeply impact the tasks our Armed Forces are called upon to undertake.

As a global military leader we must evolve and set an example on how to protect peace and stability while embracing sustainability and reducing our carbon emissions.

Defence is already working to become more sustainable; the Royal Navy have reduced their Nitrogen Oxide emissions by 95% on their Offshore Vessel Patrols, whilst the British Army are piloting Carbon efficient accommodation across their training estates and will continue this programme into 2022. The RAF have also introduced more environmentally-friendly green fuel to power aircraft and have increased the use of synthetics in pilot training which has led to a reduction in fuel demands. Defence has also committed to enhancing biodiversity across its estate and is developing new agri-environmental programmes.

Lt Gen Richard Nugee, MOD Climate Change & Sustainability lead said:

Climate change is just as much a threat to global security as more conventional threats, and this has the ability to change the way we operate.

Defence is already making great strides in its efforts to become more sustainable. By changing the way we operate, across land, sea and air domains, Defence will play its part in the fight against climate change.

The Integrated Review and the Defence Command Paper recognise the threat climate change poses to global security and defence. This new approach is reflective of that and will ensure green initiatives and sustainable considerations are embedded in all decision making areas across defence.

Read the full report Ministry of Defence Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach.



Highways England unveils multi-million pound initiative to revitalise ageing concrete roads

Highways England has announced two contracts worth £285 million to upgrade the concrete surface of roads across the country.

Concrete roads make up almost 400 miles (4%) of England’s motorway and major A-road network. Mostly found along the eastern side of the country, in the North East, Yorkshire, East Anglia and the South East, there are also some smaller stretches in other parts of England.

They were built largely in the 1960s and 1970s, at the time of the Swinging Sixties and when The Beatles were at their peak. Traffic volumes were half of what they are today, colour TV was only just beginning, and mass ownership of mobile phones was still more than 20 years away.

Over the next five years, Highways England will work with leading engineering and construction companies Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, John Sisk & Son, VolkerFitzpatrick, Colas Ltd, Dyer & Butler and Tarmac on a long-term programme to repair or replace the concrete surface of motorways or major A roads in England.

The programme is part of Highways England’s nationwide drive to revitalise concrete roads in England. Up to £400 million will be invested over the next five years to 2025. This is part of our commitment the Government’s second Road Investment Strategy published last year to maintain and renew the strategic road network.

Martin Fellows, Highways England Regional Director, said:

Concrete roads have served the country well since they were first built half a century ago. They have proved tough and durable over the years, helping every day for work journeys and home deliveries, visits to friends and family, holidays, and the movement of the goods and services that we all depend on. 

This is the biggest concrete road renewals programme we have ever embarked on and we’re pleased to have awarded the final two contracts that will help us deliver the maximum benefits of safe, reliable and smooth journeys for many years to come.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said:

Today’s news is fantastic for motorists across the country, bringing thousands of drivers a step closer to smoother and more reliable journeys

This huge renewals programme, which is part of our £27 billion investment in the country’s roads, will help ensure the nation’s road network is fit for the future.

Despite providing fifty years of virtually maintenance free life, decades of use and hundreds of millions of journeys has left these roads in need of vital upgrades.

Depending on the condition of the roads, some will be repaired to extend their life and others will be fully replaced. Resurfaced roads will be quieter, smoother, be easier to maintain and therefore safer.

The programme also includes plans to work with our contractors to recycle and reuse materials wherever possible and a Centre of Excellence has been established to coordinate innovative ways of renewing these vital roads.

The two contracts awarded today are:

  • Reconstruction Framework worth £218 million, which will see Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and John Sisk & Son on a design and build arrangement to demolish existing concrete road surfaces that are in poor condition and replace with a new smoother surface.
  • Lifecycle Extension Works Framework worth £67 million, which will see VolkerFitzpatrick, Colas Ltd, Dyer & Butler and Tarmac deliver specialist repairs to maximise the life of the existing concrete road surfaces of motorways and major A roads.

The first of the contracts to revitalise concrete road surfaces was awarded earlier this year to infrastructure and engineering companies AECOM and Atkins. The £39 million Design Framework will see the companies provide design, supervision and project management services.

Throughout the life of the programme, Highways England will seek to minimise the disruption to road users, local communities and business. All plans will be coordinated with other roadworks with alternative or diversion routes available when needed, which will help drivers plan their journeys in advance.

In the past year Highways England have successfully extended the life of short sections of the A11, A12 and A14 and are using the lessons learnt from these projects to inform this new programme. This includes extending the life of more sections of the A12 and A11 this summer and major works being carried out on the A11 in the autumn.

John Cox, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Rail and Infrastructure business, said:

We are very pleased to be appointed by Highways England to deliver the Lifecycle Extension Works Framework. Our team will be on hand to deliver specialist repair and improvement works across England’s motorways and major A roads.

Simon Smith, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said:

We are delighted to have been awarded a place on the Reconstruction Framework which continues our long-standing relationship with Highways England. The framework builds upon our existing portfolio of work with them including the Collaborative Delivery Framework, Smart Motorways Alliance Framework and several major schemes.

Nick Culshaw, Managing Director, UK Civils & Rail, John Sisk & Son said:

We are thrilled to be selected by Highways England for this significant programme of concrete road renewals. This is a very exciting framework and an opportunity to collaboratively deliver a safe, efficient, innovative solutions to replace the concrete roads. We are also looking forward to working with Highways England to deliver the social value and local legacy benefits of these projects.

Paul Fleetham, managing director of Contracting for Tarmac, said:

We’re proud to be awarded a place on the Lifecycle Extension Works Framework which is testament to the expertise of our people, alongside an outstanding track record of technical innovation and efficient project delivery. We look forward to building on our long-standing relationship with Highways England, drawing on our capabilities to deliver high-quality, robust upgrade activity with minimum impact to the travelling public.

Pierre Feuerstein, Director of Operations South for Colas Ltd, said:

It’s a great honour for Colas to be part of this prestigious program. Through the Lifecycle Extension Works Framework, the Colas group expertise will be used to propose efficient and innovative solutions. We will work collaboratively with Highways England and its partners to deliver projects to the highest standard of Quality and safety providing value for customers and minimising carbon impact on the environment.

Simon White, Highways Director at Dyer & Butler, said:

Dyer & Butler is delighted to have been awarded multiple Lots on the Lifecycle Extension Works Framework. We look forward to supporting Highways England maintain their national concrete roads asset and improve the journeys of their customers. We will be combining our experience gained on the Highways England Construction Works Frameworks with transferable concrete technologies from our aviation sector to deliver effective repair solutions.

Visit our website for more information on the concrete roads programme.

To keep up to date with the latest travel information follow @HighwaysEngland on Twitter or or visit our website.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.



Response to the ACMD on GHB, GBL and closely related compounds

Published 30 March 2021
Last updated 27 April 2022 + show all updates

  1. Added further government response to ACMD’s report – ‘Letter from the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Probation to the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’.

  2. First published.