Salix extends chair and two directors' terms as DESNZ recruits three new board members

Salix Finance, which administers the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, has extended the board terms of its chair, Baroness Natalie Evans, and non-executive directors Claire Davies and Tracy Vegro while recruiting three new directors.

Salix announced the extensions on 27 October 2026. Baroness Evans's appointment as chair runs for a further 12 months from 28 February 2027, Davies's appointment for three months from 30 November 2026 and Vegro's second term for six months from 1 January 2028.

Davies and Vegro both sit on the board's audit and risk assurance committee, Salix said.

Kevin Holland, chief executive of Salix, said: "Their continued leadership will provide important continuity as we deliver our strategic priorities and support the public sector in its journey towards net zero."

Recruitment campaign

Alongside the extensions, Salix said it was progressing plans to recruit three new non-executive directors to strengthen the board's expertise and broaden its perspectives.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) public appointments team is leading the recruitment campaign. Salix said further information on the vacancies would be published through the public appointments process on gov.uk.

Holland said: "We also look forward to welcoming new non-executive directors to the board, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to help shape the next chapter of Salix."

Baroness Evans said she remained committed to supporting the board's strategic priorities, providing constructive challenge and insight, and working with fellow board members and the executive team.

A GOV.UK listing for an earlier round of Salix non-executive director recruitment describes Salix Finance Ltd as a non-departmental public body of DESNZ, and says the role of a non-executive director is to challenge and support the executive team on behalf of the board.

Board changes since 2024

The extensions follow a period of change at the top of the organisation.

Salix announced Baroness Evans as chair on 26 February 2024, replacing Dame Teresa Graham DBE, who stepped down as board chair and founder. The 2023 GOV.UK listing for the chair post said the successful candidate would be appointed for an initial three-year term. Baroness Evans was made a life peer in 2014 and was leader of the House of Lords from 2016 to 2022.

Holland joined Salix on 25 September 2024. Before that he worked in Northern Ireland, including as chief executive of the region's economic development agency, according to Salix.

A previous DESNZ-sponsored campaign to recruit three Salix non-executive directors closed to applications on 12 December 2024. On 18 March 2025 Salix announced the appointment of Alison Jeffers and David Conroy as non-executive directors, along with Andy Gillies as interim executive director of finance and resources. Jeffers had been interim chair of the Audit Risk and Assurance Committee since 1 April 2024.

Scale of delivery

The board oversees a body that channels government grant funding into decarbonising public buildings.

In its 2024-25 annual report and accounts, published on 16 December 2025, Salix said it had awarded £3.7bn of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grants by the end of 2024-25. It said those grants were projected to save more than 550,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year.

In Scotland, Salix said its work with the Scottish Government supported more than 120 projects with a total value of £21m during 2024-25.

The first of the extended terms, Davies's, begins on 30 November 2026.