New board members appointed to LWaRB

The appointed members will be charged with helping LWaRB to invest in waste infrastructure in the capital, as well as supporting London boroughs in making efficiency savings.

The Board will be chaired by former environment minister Richard Tracey, who was nominated for the role in July 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story). The London Assembly member has previously worked as a current affairs broadcaster for the BBCs television and radio, as well as working at the Daily Express.

The Mayors independent representative on the board will be his environment and political advisor Matthew Pencharz (see letsrecycle.com story). Mr Pencharz first joined the Mayors team in November 2009.

Line-up

The remaining six members were appointed by London Councils, which include four borough and two independent representatives. Councillor David Williams and Cllr Clyde Loakes remain on the board for a second term, alongside new members Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, Cllr Nicholas Paget-Brown. The Boards independent representatives are Melville Haggard and Barbara Anderson.

The board members come with a wealth of experience in waste and recycling. Cllr Williams chaired the LWARB Audit Committee during his first term. Cllr Loakes also holds the position of chair of one of Englands largest waste authorities, the North London Waste Authority.

Labour councillor Mr Mahfouz is cabinet member for environment and transport at Ealing, while Cllr Paget-Brown holds the position of cabinet member for the environment, transport and leisure in the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Mr Haggard has over 30 years experience as a project financier and adviser to industry and the government. This includes time as a markets development advisor to Defra on the financing of waste and energy infrastructure. Ms Anderson is a Barbara is an experienced commercial board director and chair, with particular expertise in building and environmental technology and retail sectors.

Delighted

Commenting on the appointments, Mr Johnson said: I am delighted to confirm LWARB’s latest Board members as it embarks on its second term. These individuals bring a wealth of experience to enable the use of public money to the maximum benefit of Londoners.

Cllr Catherine West, chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, added: London Councils has appointed these six members to the board to help make London a greener and cleaner city. We want to reduce the amount of rubbish which goes into landfill, boost recycling services in the capital and create jobs and training opportunities for Londoners. The members will also be tasked with looking at ways of making savings while maintaining high quality waste services.

LWaRB was set up in 2008 to bring together all of London’s waste stakeholders to transform the management of waste in the capital. Since its creation, the Board has invested in a number of recycling and reuse projects, including the London Re-use Network, the Recycle for London consumer recycling campaign, and 18m into the London Green Fund.

The new Board are due to hold their first meeting on November 8 2012 at City Hall.