New director general joins Food and Beverage Carton Alliance
The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) has appointed Sebastian Bartels as its new director general.
Bartels has two years of international experience working in strategy across a range of industries.
He joins the FBCA as it looks to expand beyond Europe to be a global leader of resilient food and beverage systems.
Patrick Verhelst, president of the board of FBCA, said: “We are excited to welcome Sebastian.
“His deep expertise in sustainability and broad experience across sectors and geographies make him the right person to lead FBCA’s next chapter.
“We are confident he will amplify the Alliance’s impact and its future reach beyond EU-from grassroots engagement to international policy dialogue and circular value chain data expertise.”
Independent non-executive director to join ESA board
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has appointed Helen Phillips as its new independent non-executive director to its board of directors.
Phillips will contribute an external perspective to the association and to help it shape environmental policy going forward.
She is a former senior environmental regulator and has held a number of non-executive roles since 2015.
At present, Phillips chairs the Chartered Insurance Institute, having previously chaired the Legal Services Board.
Executive director of the ESA, Jacob Hayler, said: “Our ambition for the newly-created role of non-executive director was for the association to benefit from an external perspective from someone who could challenge our board in a supportive and consensus-driven manner.
We wanted a great communicator with a detailed knowledge of the workings of Government, who can effectively promote the work our sector does at the highest levels, and I am very pleased to say that we have found these attributes in Helen, who we are delighted to welcome to the ESA.”
New chief executive joins Recycling Lives
Victoria Blakeman has been made the new chief executive of the Recycling Lives Charity and Social Enterprise.
Blakeman will lead its offender rehabilitation, residential and food redistribution programmes.
She has a background in as a prison governor, criminal justice consultant and the head of a food redistribution charity.
Blakeman said: “I’m delighted to have joined the team. I’ve been familiar with Recycling Lives Charity for many years, particularly for its strong reputation in the rehabilitation sector. It’s an amazing organisation that has a huge impact on the people it supports.
“We want to support more people to change their lives and have a greater impact locally and, where possible, nationally too. It’s a big challenge, but I’m looking forward to developing a strategy to grow our offering, and working with the team to deliver on this.”
Gauthier Autrand made manager at Cauldon Cement Plant
Gauthier Autrand has been made the new plant manager at Holcim UK’s Cauldon Cement Plant.
The Staffordshire plant employs 155 people and is central to Holcim UK’s involvement in the Peak Cluster initiative.
Set to launch in 2031, the Peak Cluster aims to capture CO2 emissions from cement and lime production in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, for storage under the Irish Sea.
Autrand has over 20 years of construction experience in the UK and abroad.
He said: “For me, community engagement is absolutely essential.
“I recognise the responsibility that we have to the people of Cauldon and the surrounding area, not just as part of the community, but as a local employer also.
“This is precisely why I am prioritising engagement with local schools to promote the benefits of a career in construction. The opportunities that Holcim and the wider industry can provide to the next generation are limitless, and we want to inspire young people across Staffordshire to pursue a career in construction.
“Forging partnerships with local schools and politicians will be key to achieving this goal.”
Chair to join City of London’s environmental services committee
The City of London Corporation’s Port Health and Environmental Services Committee has elected a new chair.
Peter Dunphy will take over from Mary Durcan, who chaired the Committee from 2023 to 2025.
The committee is responsible for the functions that protect the public and the environment across the Square Mile and beyond, including street cleansing and refuse collection.
Dunphy said: “This Committee plays a crucial role in keeping London safe, clean and resilient – not just for the Square Mile, but for the capital and the country. From food safety at the border to tackling pollution, supporting bereaved families, and protecting animal welfare, its work supports millions of people every day.
“I’m proud to be taking on this role and will continue to champion the dedicated officers and services that make London a safer, healthier and more sustainable place to live, work and visit.”
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