Parkes appointed chair of CIWM general council

The CIWM general council, also known as the trustee board, is made up of the most senior group of volunteers in CIWM. They are responsible for the strategic direction and management of CIWM, the waste sector’s trade body.

Ms Parkes has been a trustee of CIWM since 2021 and of CIWM Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of the institution, before that. As chair, she replaces Dan Cooke, who held the role since 2019.

Ms Parkes has spent the past decade leading the Agency’s work on tackling the climate emergency, including helping the country better prepare for climate impacts and delivering key regulatory policies to drive down carbon emissions.

In a statement, she said she was “delighted” to have been elected chair of CIWM. “I’m committed to serving our membership, strengthening our voice, and growing our impact,” she said.

“I want people to recognise the critical role that this sector already plays in ensuring the country’s resilience.

“And I want to exploit the opportunities from a much stronger alignment with the climate agenda in our drive to a world beyond waste.”

Ms Parkes received an MBE for services to environmental protection and addressing the climate emergency in this year’s New Year honours list (see letsrecycle.com story).

Waste management

Before taking up her most recent role with the Environment Agency, Ms Parkes headed up the regulator’s work on waste and resource management, overseeing the implementation of more than a dozen EU Directives.

She has also worked on the provision of waste and recycling services in local government and started her career with the Tidy Britain Group.

Alongside Sarah Poulter, CIWM’s CEO, and Dr Anna Willetts, the trade body’s president, Ms Parke’s appointment sees women in three of CIWM’s most senior leadership roles. CIWM said this was “a first in the organisation’s history”.

Welcoming Ms Parkes to her new role, Ms Poulter said: “Liz has been instrumental in the delivery of CIWM’s equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and will continue to make sure this is pushed up the agenda, as well as taking forward the board’s other key focus areas of net zero and ensuring the UK has the necessary skills to deliver a world beyond waste.”

CIWM thanked Mr Cooke for his “commitment and dedication” during his time as chair. Mr Cooke will continue to serve on the general council in his role as senior vice-president until June 2023, CIWM said, when he will be inaugurated as the trade body’s 107^th president.