Since 2015, Sarah Hendry has been the Defra Director with responsibility for all aspects of water, flood risk and coastal erosion policy, including flood, water and CBRN emergencies .  Sarah’s civil service career spans MAFF, Defra, the Cabinet Office and Department of Health.  Her previous roles in government have covered a wide range of policy areas including environment, climate change, agriculture, rural economy, and public health.  She has considerable experience of EU and international policy-making and negotiation on behalf of the UK.