Derek Osborn served 30 years in the Civil Service, for the latter six years as Director-General for Environmental Protection with the Department of the Environment until retirement in January 1996. He represented the United Kingdom and was Chair of the Management Board of the European Environment Agency. He was on the Board of the Environment Agency for England and Wales having been involved with its planning and creation. He is a non-exec Director of Severn Trent PLC, and Chair of Jupiter Global Green Investment Trust. He is involved in several environmental organizations including UNED Forum and Board member of the IIED.