The appointment follows the resignation of existing Chief Executive, Dr Campbell Gemmell, who is taking on a new role in South Australia. Professor Curran will take up the post on 7 January 2012, following Dr Gemmell's departure.
James Curran was part of the (then) Scottish Office team which originally designed SEPA, before joining the agency when it was established in 1996.
SEPA Chairman, David Sigsworth, said:
"I am very pleased that James has agreed to become our next Chief Executive. He is a well-known and influential expert, and has an excellent record in environmental science, regulation and strategy. I am confident that he will lead SEPA to a healthy and sustainable future as a world class environment protection agency and influential environmental authority."
Scotland's Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson, said:
"I very much welcome the appointment of James Curran as Chief Executive of SEPA and look forward to working with him as SEPA continues with its transformational change agenda to turn the organisation into Scotland's enabling, modern day environmental regulator."
Leading Spanish economist Luis Fernandez has joined environmental solutions provider ACWA Emirates as Chief Officer Concessions for the MENA region to provide in-depth support for the company’s drive into the public-private partnership (PPP) sector.
for use in chlorine monitoring equipment after similar pumps were found less reliable. 
Welsh Water’s challenge to upgrade the sewage infrastructure within the £multi-million brownfield Swansea Waterfront re-development was facilitated with an innovative Hydro Vortex Drop™ shaft solution from Hydro International.
