Tim Eggar, the recently retired chair of the North Sea Transition Authority and former Energy Minister, has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List for services to energy.
Mr Eggar, who was chair of the NSTA from 2019 until September 2024, led it through a period of evolving change including renaming the authority, embracing an expanding role in the energy transition, becoming the carbon storage licensing authority and increasing the monitoring of emissions. The authority carried out several oil and gas licensing rounds, as well as the UK’s first ever carbon storage licensing round, and became the offshore hydrogen storage and transport regulator.
During his tenure at the NSTA, there were five prime ministers, eight energy secretaries and seven energy ministers.
Tim said: “It was an honour and privilege to chair an outstanding Board and public service team during a challenging and turbulent period.”
Mr Eggar became the Enfield North MP in 1979 and remained in Parliament until he stood down in 1997.
First appointed as a Minister by Margaret Thatcher in 1985, Tim served in three departments before being appointed Minister for Energy in 1992. He served in that role for four years – the longest ever serving Energy Minister. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1995.
Since 1997 Tim has held a number of senior executive, board and chair roles mostly, but not exclusively, associated with the energy industry.
NSTA Chief Executive Stuart Payne said: “I am delighted to see Tim recognised in the New Year Honours. Tim’s passion for the energy sector in the UK is clear to everyone who knows him.
“He has worked alongside the industry as a politician, worked in industry leading operators and supply chain businesses and led the regulation of the industry as the Chair of the North Sea Transition Authority.
“I and my colleagues are grateful for the leadership, challenge and enthusiasm that Tim brought during his tenure.”