New waste MD for UK Green Investment Bank
Sam Finney | 7 October 2013

Shaun Kingsbury, UK GIB Chief Executive.

Last Friday (4 October), Chris Holmes was announced as the new Managing Director of Waste and Bio-Energy for the UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB). Holmes arrives after a decade with Dutch bank NIBC with which he led a number of private finance initiatives (PFI) and public-private partnership (PPP) transactions.

Holmes, who has experience with infrastructure and renewables with a focus on waste management, will take over from Adrian Judge, a founding member of GIB who continues to support its key waste initiatives.

In leading a ‘well established’ team, the new MD for Waste will direct support for the remaining local authority PPP schemes, help finance the emergent UK anaerobic digestion sector and support the growth of the commercial and industrial waste sector.

These activities will involve close collaboration with Greensphere Capital LLP and Foresight Group, who manage the two waste funds in which GIB has invested.

‘Critical parts of the jigsaw’

Speaking of his new role, Holmes said: “I’m delighted to be joining GIB. As someone who has built a career in infrastructure and project finance, this represents a great new professional challenge for me in a sector I am passionate about. GIB has the sector knowledge and the capital to make a real difference and I’m looking forward to building upon the excellent work by Adrian and the team.”

Shaun Kingsbury, Chief Executive of GIB, added: “Waste recycling and waste-to-energy projects are absolutely critical parts of the jigsaw we need to put together if the UK is to hit its ambitious environmental targets. We’re pleased to welcome Chris and the wealth of experience he brings in financial services generally and waste infrastructure in particular.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to Adrian Judge and his contribution to the set-up and early success of GIB. Adrian has made an enormous contribution and while we wish him well for whatever he chooses to do next, I’m delighted that we’ll still be able to call on his counsel.”

Read more about GIB.

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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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There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.