Today, CIWM has announced the election of Tim Walker as Junior Vice President. Walker will take over the role from Dan Cooke, who will become Senior Vice President at the presidential inauguration in June this year.
Currently, Tim Walker is the Chief Executive of the arc21 local authority partnership in Northern Ireland – a role he has held since 2019. Prior to this, he led waste management at Belfast City Council for over two decades.
Tim Walker is currently on the Board of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and CIWM as a Trustee. He is also a Visiting Research Fellow with Queen’s University Belfast, a member of the DEFRA Advisory Committee on Packaging (UK) and sits on the Department for Economy Circular Economy Coalition (NI).
Commenting on his successful application for Junior Vice President of CIWM, Tim said: “Wow, that’s great. As a life-long environmentalist, I’ve always had an unhealthy interest in waste and CIWM has been a constant wellspring throughout my professional career.
“I’ve drawn from it so much in terms of friends and colleagues, as well as from its extensive library and contacts list. I’m thrilled that I now have an opportunity to front this great organisation and contribute to its journey to a world beyond waste.”
CIWM CEO, Sarah Poulter, added: “I would like to welcome Tim to the role of Junior Vice President (elect) and thank him for being prepared to make the commitment required for what is such an important position.
“The CIWM Presidential Team performs an essential role in the leadership, direction and voice of CIWM and Tim’s experience and expertise will add real value, not just in his role as Junior Vice President but at every stage in his progression to becoming CIWM President.”
The role of Junior Vice President is the beginning of a trajectory towards CIWM presidency, a process that usually takes three years. Applicants for the role must be CIWM Fellows and must submit a personal statement, as well as gaining support from either three CIWM General Councillors or the CIWM Centre Council – the applicant will then be invited to present to the CIWM Member’s Council in Spring, where the Junior Vice President is appointed by ballot of Members' Representatives.
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