A new Ambassador Programme was announced on 24th April by RWM in partnership with CIWM. The initiative has been launched to help shape the future of the event and to underline the event organisers’ commitment to supporting the industry and acting as a positive force for change
The panel of 22 ambassadors includes thought leaders and industry leaders from a range of sectors, including Clyde Loakes from LGA, Gev Eduljee from SITA, Lee Marshall from LARAC, Sophie Thomas from the RSA, Sarah Wakefield from Co-op Estates, Chris Dow from Closed Loop Recycling, Gareth Tancred from BIFM, Jonathan Davies from SKM Enviros, Jonathan Straight from Straight plc, Liz Goodwin from WRAP, Louis Lindenberg from Unilever UK Ltd, and Ray Georgeson from The Resource Association.
Chaired by CIWM Chief executive Steve Lee, this unique and high profile group will meet regularly to discuss key waste and resource efficiency issues and provide insight and advice on the future development of the RWM event. In addition, RWM is giving the ambassadors a fund of £15,000 to be used for the good of the sector.
The first meeting, held last week opened with an inspirational keynote speech from leading environmentalist Sir Jonathon Porritt, and the group will now meet every six weeks. The ambassadors are free to decide what issues they chose to prioritise and discuss and how to spend the funds donated by RWM, other than that it should be used for the development of new resource efficiency initiatives to support the sector.
’'Steve Lee said: “Bringing together some of the sector’s leading thinkers, the Ambassador Programme is a unique group that will help to shape the direction of the industry and ensure that RWM reflects and meets the current and future needs of our dynamic and fast-changing sector.”
Sarah Porter, divisional director for the environment events at i2i, which includes RWM in partnership with CIWM, added: “Today’s investment and launch of the Ambassadors Programme is our opportunity to give something back to an industry that is growing rapidly, generating substantial environmental impact and which is vital to the UK’s economy. We’re proud to be facilitating this group and excited to see where the funds will be invested.
Following the initial meeting Lee Marshall LARAC CEO, said how pleased he was that LARAC was taking part in the programme, "The fact that LARAC is part of the Ambassadors group shows the standing it has in the industry. To be able to come together and discuss wide ranging issues with such people is a real opportunity for LARAC to be part of setting the waste agenda and supporting the RWM event".
16-18 September 2014, NEC Birmingham, UK
