LARAC has reported the appointment of John Coates as interim CEO, following the departure of Lee Marshall last December.
Coates is a former Vice-Chair and Treasurer for LARAC, as well as previously holding a position on the APSE executive board, having worked in the waste management industry for over 13 years. Prior to the appointment, he acted as both Chartered Waste Manager and Head of Waste Services for North Lincolnshire Council, before becoming Head of Waste for Lincolnshire County Council.
LARAC states that the interim appointment is to ensure the continuity of membership services and to allow for a review of the current structure of the company, ensuring the resources necessary to enable its continued growth are put into place.
LARAC has also stated that the move has been made in order to reassure members that their voices are still being heard as discussions within the company continue, surrounding key policy areas such as consistent collections and extended producer responsibility (EPR) on packaging.
Carole Taylor, LARAC chair, commented: "We are sad to see Lee go but in John we have someone who is very capable and who brings experience of being a head of service for waste and recycling at both unitary and county councils.
“We know he will represent our members' views with knowledge and authority. He knows how LARAC works and was on the working group that transitioned us to a limited not-for-profit company. The Executive wanted continuity after Lee's announcement and working with John we have a short-term solution up to Lee's departure. Moving forward he will work with the new Chair and Executive to produce options for a new LARAC for the future.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
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