The Marine Management Organisation has snapped up Elysia McCaffrey as its next chief executive, ending a two-year-search for a permanent boss.
McCaffrey will join the MMO on 1 April from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, which she has led as chief exec since 2021.
With more than 20 years’ experience across the public and civil service, she has previously held senior roles in the Government Equalities Office and the Cabinet Office. As chief exec of the GLAA, she has led national efforts to protect vulnerable people from exploitation and tackle labour abuse.
McCaffrey said: “I am delighted to be joining MMO and look forward to building on the excellent progress the organisation has made in ensuring the health of our marine environment and the industries that depend upon it.
“MMO plays a vital role in safeguarding England’s waters while enabling sustainable activity across our marine sectors. I am excited to contribute to this important agenda, helping to ensure that our seas remain healthy, productive and resilient for generations to come.”
MMO chair Les Philpott said McCaffrey “brings a strong track record of leadership in public service with significant experience leading complex regulatory and operational organisations”.
“At a time when pressures on our seas continue to increase, MMO’s role in balancing economic growth with the protection of the marine environment has never been more important,” he added. “Elysia’s leadership will be key to ensuring the organisation continues to deliver government priorities and supports the development of a sustainable blue economy for the future.”
Philpot also thanked Michelle Willis for her “dedicated service” as acting chief executive of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs agency since September 2023.
“Over the past two and a half years, her leadership has strengthened the organisation and enhanced our response to the growing ambitions of our stakeholders and customers, including delivering on our government’s policies,” he said.
Willis replaced Tom McCormack, who started a period of sick leave in September 2023 and formally left the organisation at the end of January 2024. The MMO, which is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, ran a recruitment campaign for a permanent chief exec in summer 2024 and then again last year, offering an extra £10,000 the second time around.
Read our 2023 interview with McCaffrey