The Food Standards Agency has announced the appointment of Emily Miles as its new chief executive.

Emily is currently the acting Director-General for the EU Exit Delivery Group in Defra and will join the FSA in September 2019.

With a civil service career spanning almost twenty years, Emily joined Defra in November 2015 as the Group Director of Strategy and coordinated work on the domestic implications of EU Exit for Defra after the referendum in 2016.

FSA Chair Heather Hancock said: “Emily brings an impressive track record in developing strategy and excellent outcomes across government, in Defra, the Cabinet Office and the Home Office.  She joins us at a pivotal moment in food regulation, as we implement our new regulatory regime outside the EU, manage the short-term impacts of leaving the EU, and drive forward our modernisation plans. I am in no doubt that Emily’s strategic vision and leadership will be highly effective at FSA and I very much look forward to working with her.”

Emily Miles said: “I am delighted to be joining the FSA and look forward to leading the department as it faces the challenges of EU Exit while delivering its ambitious programme of regulatory transformation.

“As an organisation that attracts high levels of public trust, I am honoured to take up the role of FSA chief executive and to play my part in driving forward its mission of protecting consumers by ensuring food is safe and what it says it is.

“I look forward to getting to know the talented team there as well as working with colleagues across national and local government, and in industry to deliver safe food for consumers as we face new challenges and new opportunities.”

The FSA’s director of Regulatory and Legal Strategy, Rod Ainsworth will continue as Interim CEO until Emily joins the FSA in September.