Edmondson chosen to head Amey’s new Environmental Services business

Since the arrival of Andy Milner as CEO of the public and regulated services provider, four new business units have been created: Utilities & FM (facilities management), Highways, Consulting & Rail and Environmental Services. Edmondson will join Highways MD James Haluch and Rail and Consulting MD Nicola Hindle on Amey’s Executive Team. Edmondson joined Amey in 2013 and has led the company’s environmental and waste services accounts as Sector Business Director. Prior to joining the company he worked for Veolia as UK Operations Director for Commercial and Industrial Services. Commenting on his appointment, Edmondson said: “The environmental services aspect of Amey’s business has developed a lot since I joined but our ambition is to have an even greater presence in this market with a reputation for unparalleled customer service.” Milner added: “Rob’s successes in growing Amey’s Environmental Services capabilities from a small base to a top five market player has underpinned Amey’s growth in recent years. This is a key market for us over the coming years and I am delighted that we will benefit from Rob’s experience as a member of Amey’s executive team.”

Recycled airline seat fabric project funded on kickstarter

Councillor Sue Coakley, the cabinet member for Cotswold District Council, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Gloucestershire Joint Waste Committee, stepping up from her previous post of Vice-Chair. The committee, which oversees waste management, recycling and street cleaning in the county, was formed in 2013. It provides services for several local authorities in the area including Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Tewkesbury and Gloucestershire County Councils. The committee has tried to increase recycling rates through the promotion of food waste recycling, the use of fabric nappies and composting. It has also overseen the development of an Anaerobic Digestion facility at Wingmoor Farm near Bishop’s Cleeve. Coakley will replace Councillor Jim Mason, Lead member for Clean and Green Environment at Tewkesbury Borough Council, and will work with the new Vice-Chair Councillor Brian Robinson, Deputy Leader of Forest of Dean District Council. Speaking to the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, Councillor Coakley said: “From November 2016, all councils in Gloucestershire will be providing a food waste recycling service either using the anaerobic digester or composting as appropriate. This both saves money and reduces landfill.”

First class honours for ReFood’s Sustainable Visionary

Keane was the winner of ReFood’s pioneering waste management scholarship scheme, Sustainable Visionaries, in 2015. He received a £5,000 scholarship towards his studies, expert mentoring from the ReFood logistics team and access to the company’s logistics data and professional insight. Keane profiled the ReFood business within his dissertation, ‘Increasing the rate of commercial food waste recycling’, proposing a new logistics model to make small volume collections more cost-effective. He now has plans to establish a full-time career in the logistics sector, specialising on sustainable transportation management. Keane said: “I can’t thank the ReFood team enough for their on going support and guidance throughout my final year at university. The Sustainable Visionaries scholarship has been tremendously beneficial – helping to guide my university studies and provide a stepping stone for my future career in logistics.” Philip Simpson, Commercial Director at ReFood, said: “As our very first Sustainable Visionary, we’re incredibly proud of Ronan for graduating from Huddersfield University with a first class honours degree. With such comprehensive industry understanding, passion for sustainability and a pioneering approach to integrating new ideas into corporate logistics, his talent was obvious from the outset.” “Being able to support his studies and offer advice and guidance to further his professional development over the past 12 months has been an absolute pleasure, and we wish him well for his future career.”