The North Regional Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a new Chairman - Professor Brian Clark, who is currently Professor of Environmental Management and Planning at Aberdeen University. He chairs his first Board meeting in Contin on 18 January and will be available to talk to the press at lunchtime on that day.

Professor Clark brings to SEPA 30 years' of environmental experience. He has worked in many countries on a wide range of environmental topics including environmental management plans, coastal zone management, strategic environmental assessment and environmental management systems in government and industry. As well as directing the MSc programme in Rural and Regional Resources Planning at Aberdeen University, he has been directly involved in a wide range of environmental training programmes in over 40 countries worldwide.

"I can think of few jobs so rewarding and challenging as protecting the environment of the north of Scotland," said Professor Clark. "The Region covers an area which stretches from Shetland to Fort William and from Stornoway to Aberdeen. We have a superb environment, which in a European context is one of the most unspoilt of the whole continent. However, there are quite a few high profile issues for SEPA to deal with, like new strategies for waste management, fish farming, Dounreay and agricultural pollution.

"My aim, and SEPA's, is to try to balance the economic and social aspirations in this diverse region with the need to protect and improve the environment on which we all depend. We must build even stronger partnerships between SEPA and the many others with whom we work, like local government, developers, environmentalists and local communities to the mutual benefit of all concerned.

"SEPA's main role is regulation, but it mustn't be forgotten that one of our main objectives is to maintain the biodiversity of the region and move towards greater sustainability. We must also remember that the north of Scotland can't be viewed in isolation. We need to consider how global and European environmental issues such as climate change, ozone depletion, threats to biodiversity, world trade and impacts on human health are taken into account in SEPA's activities."

Professor Clark concluded by stating that he hoped that all those living and working in the North Region could be made more aware of SEPA's positive role in environmental protection. Raising awareness of environmental issues, whether among school children, communities, developers or local authorities, will be a major priority for the North Regional Board of SEPA.

Notes for Editors
· A photograph of Professor Clark is available (as a colour print or in electronic form) on request.
· Professor Clark will chair his first meeting of the North Regional Board on Tuesday 18 January, at the Coul House Hotel, Contin at 09.30. Meetings are open to the public. Members of the press are welcome to attend.
· Professor Clark will host a 'meet the press' session in the hotel at the end of the meeting, at approximately 12.30. Telephone interviews will also be possible. SEPA main Board Chairman Ken Collins and North Region Director Professor David Mackay will also be in attendance.

For further information and to book into the 'meet the press' session, contact SEPA Public Affairs.