Biographies

Liz Goodwin is a chemist by background and has a PhD in chemical physics. She held a number of technical and production related roles with ICI and Zeneca before moving into the environmental field within the chemical industry.

Liz became CEO at WRAP in 2007 and has worked for the organisation since its early days, joining in 2001 as the first Director of Materials Programme. Since taking over as CEO, the profile of WRAP and the issues of waste and recycling have increased significantly through wide media coverage.

Under her leadership, the Courtauld Commitment, involving the major retailers, brands and their supply chains, has been driven forward and growth in packaging has been halted despite growth in sales.  The problem of food waste is now widely understood and progress is being made in tackling this serious issue.  In 2008 WRAP launched the Construction Commitments: Halving Waste to Landfill with support from both within the construction industry itself and across Government.

In the future, Liz sees WRAP building on its core strengths – technical and market knowledge and expertise combined with the role of convenor and catalyst, bringing people together to work on issues and find solutions.  She is driven by a desire to make a difference by working with others to help make the UK more resource efficient.

Appointed to the Board - 1 July 2010

Jonathan Lea has extensive international experience as finance director in Europe, Asia and South America. Prior to joining WRAP Jonathan was Group Finance Director of thread manufacturer Coats plc and Chief Financial Officer of a Netherlands-based engineering group.

He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a member of the Board of Governors of the University of West London.

Dr Richard Swannell, Director of Design & Waste Prevention at WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), has spent his career working on ways of reducing our impact on the environment. WRAP helps businesses and individuals reap the benefits of reducing waste, developing sustainable products and using resources in an efficient way.  Richard is a microbiologist by training and his Doctorate was in Environmental Engineering.
 
He spent the last 12 years building successful business partnerships to reduce waste. Formerly Deputy Director of Envirowise, Richard joined WRAP in 2004 where he led the Retail team that delivered the ‘Courtauld Commitment’, an agreement between WRAP and all the main UK retailers to reduce packaging (www.wrap.org.uk/retail/courtauld_commitment).

His current remit is Design & Waste Prevention where he is responsible for driving improved design and resource efficiency in key resource intensive sectors.  This covers work in the Construction (including ‘Half Waste to Landfill’), Food & Drink (including the successful ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign that helps consumers save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making better use of the food that they buy), Hospitality and DIY sectors.  It also looks at reducing the environmental impact of textiles and electronics.

Nick began his career as a newspaper journalist, before moving into public relations with the Government Information Service. Following a number of senior communications roles in Whitehall, Nick worked as Communications Director at the telecommunications regulator OFTEL and then the Consumers’ Association. Nick then moved into the City of London first as Director of Communications at the London Stock Exchange and then heading communications at the Lloyd’s insurance market.

Nick joined WRAP in September 2007.  He has extensive experience of developing and delivering communications strategies which support delivery of business objectives, both in the public and private sector. At WRAP he is responsible for the communications work which supports programme delivery, including the development of community partnerships.

Iain Gulland is Director of Zero Waste Scotland, the new programme created by the Scottish Government to support delivery of its Zero Waste policy goals.

Zero Waste Scotland provides a ‘one stop shop’ for advice and support to businesses and individuals looking to reduce waste and recycle more.  The programme is linked to the UK-wide resource efficiency body WRAP, of which Iain sits on the Executive Committee.

Iain has more than 17 years experience in recycling and waste management, including initiating recycling systems with East Lothian and Orkney Islands Councils, with Lothian & Edinburgh Environmental Partnership (LEEP) and with Alloa Community Enterprises (ACE).

Iain was previously Network Director for Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) where he established the CRNS as a key Government delivery partner and helped secure over £17 million investment in community recycling through the Government’s INCREASE programme.

He was a member of the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Think Tank and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM).

Steve Creed is an engineer by background having completed an engineering degree in his native country Canada.  He went on to complete an MBA as his interest turned more towards business issues. Prior to joining WRAP, Steve’s roles included Director of the Environment at Carillion plc., and Managing Director of Stanger Science and Environment, where his main focus was helping businesses to integrate sustainable development into their strategy.

Steve joined WRAP in early 2002 as Director of Business and Procurement with the remit to stimulate private and public sector procurement of recycled materials and products while overseeing WRAP’s Business Development Service.  Following a re-organisation in 2005, Steve became Director of Business Growth, focusing on building markets and creating market knowledge for recovered materials. During 2009/10 he  led WRAP through the Delivery Landscape Review and implementation which resulted in  WRAP being asked by Defra to lead on resource efficiency issues in England. More recently he was responsible for WRAPs work focused on improving Business Resource Efficiency.

His areas of expertise include: Business Strategy, Sustainable Development, Resource Efficiency, Finance and Fund Raising and Change Management.

Steve is also responsible for WRAPs programmes in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Marcus joined WRAP in 2007.  As one of WRAP’s directors, he is responsible for leading WRAP’s work aimed at helping the UK move towards a closed loop economy where the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste is maximised and the volume of material sent to landfill is minimised.

His teams at WRAP focus on:
• collecting and sorting materials;
• reused and remanufactured products;
• recycled materials and products; and
• recovered materials and energy from waste.

He has worked in the environment sector for over 20 years, 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 and setting up an office in China. Prior to joining WRAP, he was the Commercial Director of a start-up renewable energy company.

He is also a trustee of and chairs the technical committee of the Business Commitment to the Environment Awards, which is one of the UK’s longest standing award schemes set up to recognise businesses at the forefront of environmental leadership in the UK.