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In the eye of a storm In the eye of a storm
(about 3 hours later)
PROFILE By Sarah Mukherjee BBC Radio 4 Facing a flood of criticism: Baroness Young of Old SconeThe floods in southern England have placed Baroness Young of Old Scone in the eye of a media storm. As head of the Environment Agency, she's been criticised for not doing enough to stop the devastating effects of the recent deluges.PROFILE By Sarah Mukherjee BBC Radio 4 Facing a flood of criticism: Baroness Young of Old SconeThe floods in southern England have placed Baroness Young of Old Scone in the eye of a media storm. As head of the Environment Agency, she's been criticised for not doing enough to stop the devastating effects of the recent deluges.
Educated in Scotland, at Perth Academy and Edinburgh and Strathclyde Universities, in the early 1970s, Barbara Scott Young, as she was then, has spent her entire working life in administration, initially in health service management.Educated in Scotland, at Perth Academy and Edinburgh and Strathclyde Universities, in the early 1970s, Barbara Scott Young, as she was then, has spent her entire working life in administration, initially in health service management.
A friend and former colleague in the NHS, Alasdair Liddell remembers meeting her as a breath of fresh air when the pair met in London in the 1970s.A friend and former colleague in the NHS, Alasdair Liddell remembers meeting her as a breath of fresh air when the pair met in London in the 1970s.
"?plenty of get up and go? I think she was different than run of the mill health service manager at the time. She would be one of group - surprised if she didn't make an impression on the world " "She had plenty of get up and go. I think she was different than run of the mill health service managers at the time. She would be one of group - surprised if she didn't make an impression on the world "
This description - bright, vibrant, energetic - is one many people use when talking about Barbara Young, although they also point out that she doesn't suffer fools gladly, something I have occasionally be acutely aware of when interviewing her.This description - bright, vibrant, energetic - is one many people use when talking about Barbara Young, although they also point out that she doesn't suffer fools gladly, something I have occasionally be acutely aware of when interviewing her.
I think it's done what it needs to do now which is to be a champ of the environment carrying out statutory functions at the same time Tony Juniper Hear Radio 4's Profile She has also been a woman at the top when similar female figures were thin on the ground. Another friend from those early days in the Health Service, Heather Rabbatts, points out that the 80s was a time of fast movement in the NHS. Cuts, and changes in government policy meant hospital managers had to close wards, make savings and do it fast. I think it's done what it needs to do now which is to be a champ of the environment carrying out statutory functions at the same time Tony Juniper Hear Radio 4's Profile She has also been a woman at the top when similar female figures were thin on the ground. Another friend from those early days in the health service, Heather Rabbatts, points out that the 80s was a time of fast movement in the NHS. Cuts, and changes in government policy meant hospital managers had to close wards, make savings and do it fast.
Barbara Young threw herself into this. So it came as a shock to her colleagues when she decided, in 1991, to move into a the environmental sector, as chief executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Barbara Young threw herself into this. So it came as a shock to her colleagues when she decided, in 1991, to move into the environmental sector, as chief executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Her outsider status was keenly felt. The green movement is run by a close knit collection of passionate people and were very suspicious of a government administrator trying to join their circle. Her outsider status was keenly felt. The green movement is run by a close knit collection of passionate people who were very suspicious of a government administrator trying to join their circle.
"When Barbara came to head up the RSPB a lot of us had her on informal trial," says Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth."When Barbara came to head up the RSPB a lot of us had her on informal trial," says Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth.
"It was an interesting moment for us - whether she would be able to work with the government and be critical of it at the same time. She did do that and she was a success at the RSPB.""It was an interesting moment for us - whether she would be able to work with the government and be critical of it at the same time. She did do that and she was a success at the RSPB."
Strong opinionsStrong opinions
Graham Wynn, now chief executive of the RSPB, says she admitted "right at the outset she knew very little about wildlife and the environment. But that didn't stop her from having strong opinions".Graham Wynn, now chief executive of the RSPB, says she admitted "right at the outset she knew very little about wildlife and the environment. But that didn't stop her from having strong opinions".
Residents of Gloucester have seen their lives up-ended in recent daysAlso "quick learner" she was "fantastically impressive", say Mr Wynn. She has a "natural instinct in terms of the environment and as far as we are concerned in coming to intelligent conclusions". Residents of Gloucester have seen their lives up-ended in recent daysAlso a "quick learner" she was "fantastically impressive", says Mr Wynn. She has a "natural instinct in terms of the environment and as far as we are concerned in coming to intelligent conclusions".
But not everyone got along with her well. There were those she worked with at the RSPB who admitted her passion and strong views often made her difficult to work with and to advise - one said they considered resignation more than once the early months after her arrival. But not everyone got along with her well. There were those she worked with at the RSPB who admitted her passion and strong views often made her difficult to work with and to advise - one said they considered resignation more than once in the early months after her arrival.
But her ability to put the membership on a more commercial footing - there are now more than a million members - and reorganise the charity earned the staff's respect.But her ability to put the membership on a more commercial footing - there are now more than a million members - and reorganise the charity earned the staff's respect.
A life peer in 1997, she became chairman of English Nature from 1998 to 2000, while also vice-chairman of the BBC board of governors, and then chief executive of the Environment Agency in 2000.A life peer in 1997, she became chairman of English Nature from 1998 to 2000, while also vice-chairman of the BBC board of governors, and then chief executive of the Environment Agency in 2000.
It's a large organisation with a wide-ranging set of responsibilities - taking in air and land quality, conservation, agriculture, waste, and, of course, flood prevention and management.It's a large organisation with a wide-ranging set of responsibilities - taking in air and land quality, conservation, agriculture, waste, and, of course, flood prevention and management.
Mr Juniper believes she has tamed the sprawling organisation, with strong leadership.Mr Juniper believes she has tamed the sprawling organisation, with strong leadership.
Blame elsewhereBlame elsewhere
"I think it's done what it needs to do now which is to be a champ of the environment carrying out statutory functions at the same time." "I think it's done what it needs to do now which is to be a champion of the environment carrying out statutory functions at the same time."
With tap water supplies out, many have had to rely on bottled waterA vote of confidence indeed - but there are those who feel that what some see as strong leadership in fact manifests itself as autocratic management, with little room for dissent or open debate.With tap water supplies out, many have had to rely on bottled waterA vote of confidence indeed - but there are those who feel that what some see as strong leadership in fact manifests itself as autocratic management, with little room for dissent or open debate.
Some within the water industry are dismayed that the agency has rushed to blame anyone but themselves for the current flooding, and they blame that stance on Barbara Young.Some within the water industry are dismayed that the agency has rushed to blame anyone but themselves for the current flooding, and they blame that stance on Barbara Young.
The Baroness got a roasting from the Public Accounts Committee when she gave evidence after the floods earlier this year. The baroness got a roasting from the public accounts committee when she gave evidence after the floods earlier this year.
Philip Dunne, the Conservative MP for Ludlow, and a committee member questions her ability. Philip Dunne, the Conservative MP for Ludlow and a committee member, questions her ability.
"In 2001 she signed up to putting in place action plans for flood risk for the entire country - for all 68 areas designated under the EA's auspices, only four of which had been completed by the target date of April of this year," he says."In 2001 she signed up to putting in place action plans for flood risk for the entire country - for all 68 areas designated under the EA's auspices, only four of which had been completed by the target date of April of this year," he says.
"And the fact that Lady Young did not insist on implementing the action plans for flood defence in sufficient time to have it completed in target, raises questions for me about her management style and prioritisation.""And the fact that Lady Young did not insist on implementing the action plans for flood defence in sufficient time to have it completed in target, raises questions for me about her management style and prioritisation."
Handle the flakHandle the flak
Criticism also came from Labour committee member Iain Wight MP, while committee chairman Edward Leigh MP asked if she should consider her position.Criticism also came from Labour committee member Iain Wight MP, while committee chairman Edward Leigh MP asked if she should consider her position.
In recent days, the press too have been attacking Barbara Young on an almost daily basis. But old friend Heather Rabbatts says she's more than capable of dealing with the flak. In recent days, the press too has been attacking Barbara Young on an almost daily basis. But old friend Heather Rabbatts says she's more than capable of dealing with the flak.
"If you've been in health care and managed public risk, she's got probably the best training there is to deal with the very unusual circumstances the Environment Agency is in now."If you've been in health care and managed public risk, she's got probably the best training there is to deal with the very unusual circumstances the Environment Agency is in now.
"We should never under-estimated the pressure it places on individuals. But Barbara will deal with it well. There will be lessons to be learned but she'll be the first to recognise that." "We should never under-estimate the pressure it places on individuals. But Barbara will deal with it well. There will be lessons to be learned but she'll be the first to recognise that."
And for all her critics, there are those, like Tony Juniper, who think the current criticism is unfair.And for all her critics, there are those, like Tony Juniper, who think the current criticism is unfair.
The one think that strikes you about Barbara Young is, despite a series of high profile jobs, little is known about her private life. Even long standing colleagues say that, while they have lunched and dined with her in a professional capacity, and even would consider her a friend, that relationship is not continued outside office hours. The one thing that strikes you about Barbara Young is, despite a series of high profile jobs, little is known about her private life. Even long standing colleagues say that, while they have lunched and dined with her in a professional capacity, and even would consider her a friend, that relationship is not continued outside office hours.
She has a love of horses, we know that - about 18 months ago she suffered a serious injury while horse riding which kept her out of action for some time. Friends like Heather Rabbatts do talk about warmth and passion, yet acknowledge her relentless drive.She has a love of horses, we know that - about 18 months ago she suffered a serious injury while horse riding which kept her out of action for some time. Friends like Heather Rabbatts do talk about warmth and passion, yet acknowledge her relentless drive.
"The desire to succeed, and I don't mean that in terms of a personal agenda, but that the organisation she's with succeeds. I think that's always been what drives her.""The desire to succeed, and I don't mean that in terms of a personal agenda, but that the organisation she's with succeeds. I think that's always been what drives her."