Tony Chappel has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
He joins the environmental regulator from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), where he spent three years in the roles of executive general manager and chief external affairs officer.
His role included responsibility for regulatory strategy and policy and strategic policy development across state and federal governments and market bodies.
NSW Environment Minister James Griffin said in a statement that Mr Chappel joins the EPA during a difficult time.
“Tony joins the EPA as it steps up to tackle some of the toughest environmental challenges, from local pollution issues and waste management, to environmentally sustainable resource management and climate change.
“His experience and long history of working in the public and private sectors will serve the authority well and ensure it remains a strong, respected and independent environmental regulator.
Mr Chappel said he was thrilled to have been appointed the next CEO.
“I look forward to working with the highly capable EPA team to improve our air, water and environmental outcomes and help enable NSW to achieve both sustainability and prosperity in the years ahead,” he said.
Mr Chappel spent three years at the NSW government from 2012 to 2016, when Mike Baird was at the helm, in the role of chief of staff.
He has a master’s degree in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford and a degree in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, London.
EPA Chair Rayne de Gruchy said the EPA is “delighted” to welcome Mr Chappel.
“His breadth of experience is ideally suited to lead on the critical environment protection issues that are so important to our communities, industry and government,” she said in a statement.
Mr Chappel will take over from Jacqueleine Moore, who was acting in the role of CEO for the past five months as recruitment was taking place.
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