WRAP chairman Peter Stone to step down

The resource efficiency body is in the process of setting itself up as a charity in order to allow it to attract new sources of funding, after its budget from central government was cut by around 40%.

Funding cuts have seen the organisation focus its work in a number of key areas, including work on food waste reduction and recycling collections. WRAP worked closely with the Waste Network Chairs to develop a route map to help councils and businesses understand their obligations under the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations in the absence of guidance from Defra.

WRAP has also taken on work on behalf of the European Union and may seek more consultancy work in future as it looks to become less reliant on government funding.

Mr Stone took over as the chairman of the organisation in 2008 from the founding chair Vic Cocker (see letsrecycle.com story) and served two terms in the role. His appointment was seen as something of a surprise due to his relative inexperience in the waste sector prior to taking on the post, having previously worked in banking.

Review

Commenting on the future for the organisation after his retirement, Mr Stone said: During my six years as chairman, I’ve been delighted by WRAP’s progress under Liz Goodwins leadership. We are now well-known for our work, not only in the public sector and the business sectors with which we work but also by members of the public throughout the UK. We also have a growing international reputation, in particular for our work on food waste.

We have successfully negotiated a succession of government reviews of our role and funding. Also, at the instigation of government, we have absorbed the work of many smaller and specialist service-providers previously active in our sector. Internally, we have refreshed our Board with new appointments and recruited many able specialists to join our staff. I feel that WRAP has emerged stronger, is highly respected by funders and partners alike, and has now become an acknowledged global leader in the vitally important work to tackle food waste.

Executive recruitment firm GatenbySanderson has been appointed to oversee the search for Mr Stones successor.

WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin thanked Mr Stone for his wise counsel during his time in the role.

She said: I am personally very grateful for the wise counsel and skilled leadership which Peter has brought to WRAP. His successor will be joining an ambitious organisation with an enviable track record, a powerful international network, highly skilled staff and committed to delivering sustainable use of resources.