Peter Stone, 61, will begin his work at the government-backed body on May 12, replacing Vic Cocker, WRAP's founding chairman who announced his intention to retire last October (see letsrecycle.com story).
The board have selected Peter for his track record, his inclusive style, his vision and his obvious commitment to WRAP's mission
Vic Cocker, former WRAP chairman
The open appointment process to fill the position was overseen by Mr Cocker, as part of a six month transitionary period that brings to an end his seven years in charge at WRAP.
While Mr Cocker has held his leaving party, he will remain with WRAP for a few weeks more to help the new chairman settle in. Mr Cocker is also set to keep links with the recycling and the waste management industry in the form of a directorship of a waste company looking at “new solutions”.
Mr Stone was previously one of the founding directors of UK investment bank Close Brothers, and spent 23 years at the company before leaving in 1998.
After serving as a non-executive director on several businesses' boards, he has most recently held positions on the boards of DTZ Holdings plc and Opus Trust.
His background in finance contrasts sharply with that of Mr Cocker, who spent 26 years working in the water industry before being asked to set up WRAP by the then Minister for the Environment, Michael Meacher, in 2000.
Outlining the reasons for Mr Stone's appointment, Mr Cocker said: “The board have selected Peter for his track record, his inclusive style, his vision and his obvious commitment to WRAP's mission. His experience of helping organisations grow, and guiding them through periods of change and development, is a very important attribute.
“He has broad experience as a board member and as chairman we are sure that he will successfully lead the board in its work of steering WRAP through the next stage of its business plan and the further development of its strategic role in partnership with our sponsors and stakeholders,” he added.
In the short term, Mr Stone will have to face the challenge of implementing spending cuts of 30% in WRAP's budget, after Defra reduced its funding for the body from £59.3 million in 2007/08 to £43.22 million in the current financial year (see letsrecycle.com story).
As a result the body is expected to make job cuts at all levels, and has already confirmed that it will be reducing its home composting programme, with concerns also existing over its continued commitment to battery recycling.
However, is still to release an updated Business Plan for 2008-09 that will reveal the effect of the reduced funding across its range of programmes.
Acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, Mr Stone said: “Vic Cocker has made a huge contribution to the formation and development of WRAP. He will be a hard act to follow, but I am looking forward to the challenge of joining WRAP at an important stage in its development and when it is just about to launch its next Business Plan.”
Among WRAP itself, the appointment is seen as something of a surprise, as Mr Stone does not have a readily apparent involvement with the environmental sector or waste.
But, with WRAP's need to streamline its operations and cut costs he is seen as complimenting chief executive Liz Goodwin's knowledge and experience of recycling and policy development.
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