Mr Lee, 57, is among the senior voices within the waste sector and has been at the helm of the Institution since September 2003 (see letsrecycle.com story). He joined from the Environment Agency where he had been head of waste policy, representing the organisation at a national level for over five years.
Prior to the Environment Agency he spent 15 years in local government waste management in the West Midlands and his native Leicestershire.
His work in local government covered landfill acquisition and operation as well as waste regulation.
Change
Mr Lee’s tenure at CIWM has spanned a period of sustained change within the waste management and recycling industry, and in recent years he has championed the circular economy agenda amongst industry and policy makers. He has also been a vocal critic of cuts to Defra and the Environment Agency.
He was also a founder member and chief executive of the joint lobbying body set up by CIWM and the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Resources & Waste UK. The body was set up in 2014, and its policy direction is steered by senior members of both organisations (see letsrecycle.com story).
In recent years CIWM has faced a number of challenges including a reduction in members, although this is now thought to have stabilised. With the support of his trustees, new initiatives have been developed and the work of the business side of the organisation has extended, including a tie-up with the RWM Exhibition.
Plans
Mr Lee has yet to reveal his plans post-CIWM, however reflecting on his work at the organisation, he said it had: “Deployed significant resources to ensure that our skills and training support matches the industry’s changing needs and, most recently, co-funded the second phase of the Environment Agency’s major national Duty of Care awareness campaign. I look forward to seeing these projects through over the coming months and I am confident that my successor will build on this legacy, ensuring that CIWM continues to support, shape and influence the future of this sector.”
Malcolm Thorpe, chair of the CIWM Executive Committee, added: “Steve has been instrumental in positioning CIWM at the heart of a modern waste and resource management industry and, most recently, managing substantial investment in the Institution’s IT systems to ensure that it is fit for the future. We welcome the fact that CIWM will continue to benefit from his leadership during 2016 as we look to appoint his successor.”
Leicester
Outside of work, one of his main interests is Leicester City FC, the current Premier League leaders, whom he follows home and away. If he decides not to return to the sector he may have more time to follow the team overseas as they look to be heading into a European competition next season.
Mr Lee’s departure from CIWM represents the second announcement this month of a major figure stepping down within the sector, after it was revealed that Defra’s director of resources Dr Colin Church will be leaving the Department in April (see letsrecycle.com story).
CIWM has announced that the recruitment process for a new chief executive will begin in the spring and the successful candidate is expected to be in post by the end of this year.
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