A Waste Implementation Manager at home improvement retailer B&Q has won a place on the University of Northampton’s Post Graduate Resource Management course, following an RWM in partnership with CIWM competition.

The competition, which opened in June, offered one resource management professional (holding a 2:2 degree or above) the chance to gain a fully-funded qualification from the University of Northampton, worth over £2,000.

It was launched by RWM in partnership with CIWM in a bid to ‘support the industry’s growth among environmental professionals in the commercial and industrial sector’.

Sharon Parsons from B&Q (pictured, left) was selected as the winner by a panel of waste experts and representatives from RWM.

Russell Bacon, portfolio director for the environment events at i2i (pictured, right), which includes RWM in partnership with CIWM, explained: “Sharon stood out as the clear winner in what proved to be a popular competition. Her passion and experience in improving resource management approaches stood out and she’s made some incredible gains and established some impressive initiatives during her eight years at B&Q.

“As Europe’s leading event dedicated to resource management we wanted to directly support those in the front line dealing with the resources and minimising waste from their organisation.”

Speaking of her win, Parsons commented: “When I saw the competition in one of the RWM emails I thought it was really interesting. I had a look and realised it fits really well with what I want to do and work towards.

“This PGCert pulls all of my skills and experience together and will help provide that step up to build my role in waste management. I know it will open up lots of avenues and opportunities and help me look at resource management in different ways as I develop my role.”

Degree details

The Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Resource Management is a part-time, distance-learning course that can be completed in one or two years.

Specifically designed to provide students with ‘comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles and policies which underpin resource management in the UK and elsewhere in Europe’, the course consists of three compulsory modules: Environmental and Waste Management Legislation; Advanced Thermal and Biological Waste Management Technologies; and Waste Minimisation.

Paul Cox, Senior Lecturer at the University of Northampton, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sharon on to the course. We were impressed by her evident passion for resource management and associated challenges in her role at B&Q. The Post Graduate Certificate in Resource Management will allow her to critically analyse issues and develop a deeper understanding of legislation, advanced thermal and biological technologies, and wastes minimisation in this key area.

“We are looking forward to helping Sharon in furthering her career aspirations and to drive sustainable resource management throughout the Kingfisher Group [which owns B&Q]”, he added.

RWM in partnership with CIWM is a free-to-attend resource and waste management event. This year, it was held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham between 16 and 18 September and included guest speakers such as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles and Resource Minister Dan Rogerson.

Find out more about the University of Northampton’s Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Resource Management.