The handover of chairmanship was recorded at the association’s Annual General Meeting on Friday (24 November) ahead of the Annual Lunch in Mayfair, London.
The ESA represents nearly 70 of the country’s largest waste management companies, who collectively employ around 50,000 people.
Biffa chief executive and incoming ESA chairman, Michael Topham, said: “After a challenging period, the implementation of the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy is about to happen. These changes to how we recycle, together with the impending inclusion of EfW in the Emissions Trading Scheme, mark the biggest changes for the recycling and waste sector in a generation. ESA members stand ready to deliver this £10 billion investment in the circular economy, but it will only happen if long-term, stable, investible policies are established.
“The ESA looks forward to working with Government and other stakeholders to achieve this, enabling ESA members to mobilise and deliver this enormous transition.”
Tenure
Gavin Graveson, senior vice President, for Northern Europe for Veolia, became ESA Chairman in 2020 (see letsrecycle.com story) and has led the association through an eventful and busy three years for the sector and wider country.
In particular, the ESA highlighted that Mr Graveson’s tenure saw the development and publication of the ESA’s ambitious sectoral Net-Zero strategy; reports and guidance documents to support Biodiversity and Social Value; substantial work and pressure on policy-makers (including an independent report by Eunomia) to tackle waste crime, and ongoing policy development work around the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy – the main details of which have all now been announced.
Speaking at the ESA’s lunch on Friday, Mr Graveson said warned of the upcoming “£1 billion” costs of the emissions trading scheme and the delivery phase of the resources and waste strategy.
He added: “I have certainly enjoyed my three years. The membership has grown and I am thankful to the working groups at the ESA who’ve done a diligent work to make sure we’re represented for the correct positions.
“It gives me great pleasure to hand over to my friend Michael Topham.”
Pandemic
Executive director of the ESA, Jacob Hayler, said: “Gavin took over as Chairman in the midst of the global pandemic, which was followed by ongoing economic and political volatility both at home and abroad. However, despite this challenging backdrop, the ESA has successfully delivered a comprehensive work programme on key issues for the sector during Gavin’s tenure – particularly on setting an ambitious Net-Zero roadmap for the sector, tackling waste crime and ensuring the Resources and Waste Strategy will deliver on its intended outcomes. I would like to thank Gavin for his leadership and input over the last three turbulent years.
“The ESA team and I look forward to working with Michael and welcome him to his new additional role as ESA Chairman, as the sector moves into a “delivery phase” of rolling out the changes required by Defra’s resources and waste reforms.”
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