WRAP Board chooses Gover as new chief executive

His appointment comes as Defra further reduces its funding support for WRAP with a funding allocation for the current 2016/17 financial year confirmed at £12 million. However, the cut is not as steep as previously and WRAP has said that it is in an “excellent position financially”.

Announcing the appointment today (14 June), a statement from WRAP said that Dr Gover will take up his post from 1 July.

Dr Gover, 52, joined WRAP in 2007 when it was known as the Waste & Resources Action Programme, primarily operating as an arm of government to help promote recycling across the spectrum from local authorities to the retail sector.

With a reduction in domestic financial support, Dr Goodwin has overseen the organisation’s transformation into a charity working at home with local authorities, retailers and others into also bidding to secure funded-projects from organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations.

Instrumental

In a statement, WRAP said Dr Gover has been instrumental in helping with WRAP’s “transition into a leading charity at the forefront of the circular economy”.

Julie Hill, chair of WRAP, said: “After a full external process, the Board has appointed Marcus.  He has the combination of skills, experience and total commitment needed to lead WRAP as it expands its reach and influence.”

Dr Gover pledged that under his leadership WRAP’s focus would continue to be on the action required to create a “world where resources are used sustainably”.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be chosen to lead WRAP, an organisation with a history of success and a bright future… I look forward to working with a great team, a new and ambitious board, and diverse range of partners and stakeholders across our work. I’m also honoured to be taking up the baton from Liz – a great CEO, whose insights and expertise has taken WRAP to new heights.”

Delighted

Dr Goodwin said: “I’m delighted that Marcus will be the next CEO of WRAP. We have worked together for many years and I know he is passionate about the issues WRAP works on as well as caring deeply about WRAP and its staff.

“I am confident he will lead WRAP through the next stage of its development and on to further success. WRAP is a great organisation and Marcus will be a great CEO.”

Environment

Dr Gover has worked in the environment sector since 1991, in the UK and abroad. During this time, he has held a wide range of roles including managing a water engineering company, running an outsourced waste management operation for GSK and setting up an office in China.

Prior to joining WRAP, he was the commercial director of Biojoule, a start-up renewable energy company. He has a PHD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, and an MBA from Cranfield University.