The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has announced today that Dr Colin Church, formerly Director of Environmental Quality at Defra until earlier this year, will be taking over from Steve Lee as Chief Executive Officer in the Autumn.
Dr Church has extensive experience in strategic environmental policy making and in his most recent role at Defra was responsible for government policy on issues including climate change adaptation, air quality, industrial pollution prevention, local environment quality, resource efficiency and waste, and sustainable procurement. He managed the Government’s support for waste infrastructure development, led for Defra on climate change mitigation, and was also a non-executive director of WRAP, the waste reduction and resource efficiency body.
In a Civil Service career spanning 21 years, Dr Church has also previously been responsible for overseeing the setting of the fourth UK carbon budget, implementation of the second and negotiation of the third phase of the EU Emissions Trading System, and managing the UK government’s input into negotiation of the revised EU chemicals regime (REACH). He jointly led the successful effort in 2010-11 to reduce central Government carbon emissions by 10% in 12 months, and has also spent time in the Cabinet Office working on better regulation.
“CIWM’s role in helping to shape and inform future UK environmental policy has never been so important and Dr Church’s extensive experience will ensure that the Institution is in the strongest possible position to fulfil this role,” says CIWM 2015/16 President Professor Jim Baird.
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of CIWM Chief Executive, and I look forward to building on Steve Lee’s success in positioning the Institution as an informed and influential professional body,” says Dr Church. “CIWM Members, and the waste and resource management sector as a whole, need strong professional standards to help ensure the sector delivers in both its key roles; protection of human health and the environment and the sustainable economic development so important to us all. CIWM will also continue to provide a respected source of thinking and advice for all our UK governments based on the expertise of its Members.”
Outgoing CEO Steve Lee adds: “There was a very strong field of candidates for the role and I would like to warmly congratulate Dr Church; it is very clear that his experience across a wide range of complex environmental and regulatory agendas will benefit CIWM enormously.”
To ensure a smooth transition, Dr Church will take up the role in mid-October with a handover period before Steve Lee leaves the post at the end of October. A further announcement about Resources & Waste UK will be made shortly.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6,000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. www.ciwm.co.uk
- A short biography for Dr Colin Church can be found here
Press contact:
Pat Jennings
Head of Policy & Communications
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07912 228260
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk