Amidst the cabinet reshuffle, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Emma Reynolds as the new secretary of state for the department of environment food and rural affairs (Defra).

Acting as economic secretary to the treasury as a minister in HM treasury since January 2025, Reynolds was elected as the Labour member of parliament (MP) for Wycombe in 2025. 

Reynolds succeeds Steve Reed after his move to lead the department for housing communities and local government in the wake of Angela Raynor’s resignation.

Fran Barnes, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) chief executive congratulations Reynolds on her appointment and looks forward to her communication with the HTA. She says:

“Together, we share the ambitions of the UK increasing green growth, achieving net zero and boosting our urban areas.”

Barnes also thanks Reed for his time as secretary of state for Defra and wishes him luck in the future.