Prior to his appointment, Dilley spent five years as the chairman for Arup, an employee-owned engineering company. During this time he also spent two years as a member of the prime minister’s Business Advisory Group.
Dilley has spent most of his career in engineering. He is also chairman of the business membership organisation London First.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee approved his appointment on 15 July. He replaces former Labour minister Chris Smith, who was widely criticised following what was seen as the agency’s slow response to the springtime floods.