So here it is…my 48th and final Chairs Blog!
After four years, and more conferences, meetings, webinars and interviews than I can count, I am hanging up my LARAC Chair's crown. To say that it's been a privilege to represent this amazing organisation is a huge understatement and I am very proud of this achievement.
Like most of you reading this, the organisations I have worked for over the years have been a member of LARAC, so prior to joining the LARAC executive committee, I attended the conferences and used some of the information sources provided for members to help me in my day-to-day work.
After joining the exec however, and then subsequently becoming LARAC Vice Chair and then Chair, I have seen first hand how much the dedicated team at LARAC work tirelessly every single day to ensure that the organisation really is the ‘The leading voice for local authorities on recycling, waste and resource management’ and that members get the best value for their membership.
I know in these difficult financial times Local Authorities really struggle to justify some of their costs, but the amount of time and effort that (I believe) LARAC saves hard working Local Authority officers, is more than worth the membership fee.
If you’ve not had an opportunity to do so, I would encourage you to explore all of the services that LARAC has to offer, from policy responses, webinars and the discussion forum, all of which support members and saves them time. And LARAC staff are always on the responding end of an email admin@larac.org.uk if further help is needed.
I would also like to give a shout out to the two Vice Chairs who have worked alongside me – Vicky Burrell and James Ward – and the rest of the exec committee, located around the UK, who provide a localised perspective on all of the work that LARAC does.
I have worked in the Local Authority space throughout the whole of my 30-year career and know from first hand experience the difficulties that Local Authorities face, not just financially, but practically and reputationally. This is why I do this job. Local Authorities need to be heard, by Government and those making the decisions.
I have done that to the best of my ability, and will continue to do so as part of LARAC, all be it in a more back seat position.
As of January 1st 2026, your new Chair will be Gareth Rollings, who I can assure you is just as dedicated and passionate about this industry as I am. I am so pleased to be handing over to Gareth and to follow his journey over the next four years.
In the meantime, I shall raise a (virtual) glass to you all, keep doing the amazing jobs you do, and I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
