WRAP begins search for new chief executive

The Banbury-based organisation, which is the government's key delivery body for developing markets for recyclable material and promoting recycling among the public, is offering a salary of 150,000 or more for the role.

Liz Goodwin, who is to take on chief executive duties in the interim for WRAP

It has posted advertising in national newspapers to seek a new chief who is “versatile, persuasive and diplomatic”.

WRAP is hoping to interview prospective candidates for the position in March, with a final assessment in early April.

Vic Cocker, WRAP chairman, commented: “The UK is on the cusp of transformational and cultural change in waste management and recycling, but it is a tough challenge and one that requires a unique organisation like WRAP and a talented chief executive to continue momentum.”

Mrs Price, who was chief executive when WRAP was founded in the year 2000, is leaving at the end of March to head up Sport England (see letsrecycle.com story).

Interim
Until a new chief executive is appointed, the duties will be taken on in an interim capacity by Liz Goodwin, who has been director of materials programmes and latterly director of construction and manufacturing for the organisation.

Dr Goodwin, who has a PhD in chemical physics, joined WRAP in 2001 after several years working in the chemicals industry, for companies including ICI and Zeneca. She has been responsible for market development activities for paper, glass, plastics, wood, organics, aggregates and plasterboard.

She was handed responsibility for WRAP's work with the construction and manufacturing industries in late 2005, managing a team of 31 and a budget of around 20m.

Package
WRAP is offering an “excellent package” on top of the six-figure salary to entice a permanent chief executive to its Oxfordshire base.

With an “annual income in excess of 70m”, the organisation states in its advertisement for the role that its “raison d'tre is to help business and communities to reduce waste, recycle and increase awareness of recycled materials, and be more than a voice for the environment”.

Candidates for the role are told that WRAP's ongoing objectives to be delivered by March 2008 include bringing about a three million tonne increase in waste recycling or diversion – and to reduce the amount of household food waste sent to landfill.

It also states the aim to increase the level of public participation in recycling by adding at least four million additional ‘committed recyclers’, an increase equivalent to 10% of the adult population in England. This is being carried out through the national “Recycle Now” campaign.

High profile
In his message to potential candidates for the role, Mr Cocker said: “As our chief executive you will be expected to continue building an organisation with the capacity to deliver, and drive forward complex and high profile programmes. You will broker partnerships with government ministers, captains of industry, local authorities, communities and other relevant stakeholders.

“You will have the credibility and advocacy skills to influence the waste agenda nationally, although we do not necessarily expect you to have a background in the waste or environment sector.

“The key to this role is the ability to run a business, make sound commercial judgements and understand the cut and thrust of operations. There is a mix of strategic and operational responsibilities. The sectors in which you have gained your reputation are secondary to your ability to ensure excellence in everything you do,” said the WRAP chairman.