Wednesday 14 November 2012

DECC appoints new Chair of the Coal Authority

DECC today announced Stephen Dingle as the new Chair of the Coal Authority.

Originally appointed as a member of the Board and Chair of its Audit Committee, Mr Dingle will take on his new role on 1 April next year for a four-year period. He has had a career as an investment banker and financial advisor and spent the majority of it responsible for starting a mining finance business mainly focused on goal mines.

He also specialised in advising on the financing of commercial property both in the public and private sectors as a partner with Ernst & Young.

Energy Minister John Hayes welcomed the new appointment: "Mr Dingle has five years exemplary service as Chair of the Coal Authority’s Audit committee and I’m delighted now to appoint him Chair of the Authority. The Authority will benefit from his extensive knowledge of the industry and his consummate expertise in both the private and public sectors.”

The Coal Authority was established by Parliament in 1994 with specific responsibilities associated with licensing coal-mining operations in the UK.