Chris Mills is a scientist by training and started his career in 1978 as a Salmon Biologist at the Salmon Research Trust of Ireland. In 1989, he joined the newly formed National Rivers Authority and over the next 23 years worked in a variety of fisheries, general management, policy, and leadership roles finally becoming Director of Environment Agency Wales (2006-2013).

Now retired, he is currently President and Chair of the Institute of Fisheries Management and Chair of Afonydd Cymru (AC), Chair of Welsh Water’s Independent Environmental Advisory Panel and represent AC on a number of Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and Wales Environment Link committees.