WRAP appoints two new trustees

The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has appointed Sophie Thomas and Sue Corbett as trustees to its board.

Thomas is a professional designer and founder of the RSA’s Great Recovery, a programme that seeks to build understanding of the benefits of circular design principles. In 2014, she became a Chartered Waste Manager for her work around designing out waste streams and circular system design, and is currently a design advisor for the Circular Economy Task Force.

Last year, the Great Recovery released a report proposing seven practical solutions for redesigning furniture systems and closing the loop on bulky waste. The report, which highlighted intrusive fire safety labels forcing removal and ruling out reuse amongst its solutions, called on manufacturers of products that end up as bulky waste (furniture, white goods and other household items) to take more responsibility regarding end-of-life scenarios in their designs.

Corbett, meanwhile, has worked as Executive Director of the charity INASP, which uses research to address international development challenges, and is currently Strategic Advisor at Saha Astitva, a research, training and development farm in India that carries out research on interactive ecosystems and sustainable farming techniques.

She has also held roles in the publishing industry as Managing Director and Vice President for the medical arm of John Wiley & Sons, and is a non-executive director at Liverpool University Press.

New trustees looking forward to contributing to charity’s development

Commenting on her appointment, Corbett said: “What I’ve always admired about WRAP is the rigour which it applies to its evidence and evaluation. Coming from a background which is centred on research and evidence, I’m delighted to now be joining WRAP’s board as a Trustee.

“I’m a keen supporter of programmes which deliver social benefits to people, and programmes that offer sustainable solutions to businesses and communities. WRAP’s work fulfils both, so I’m looking forward to helping WRAP continue with these efforts.”

Sophie Thomas added: “It is a great pleasure to join the board of trustees at WRAP, and I hope to utilise the different knowledge I bring to the table. WRAP’s work developing collaborative models that encourage shared learning and progress in the circular economy is something I look forward to contributing to from a design perspective.

“I look forward to further supporting these processes and developing more understanding of the opportunities and challenges around the role of design.”

Dr Liz Goodwin, Chief Executive of WRAP, said: “The appointment of both Sophie Thomas and Sue Corbett to the board is truly excellent news. They each bring their own areas of expertise, which will be of great benefit to WRAP.

“Sue brings international leadership experience and a passion for social improvement. And Sophie brings a wealth of knowledge on design which will help towards our work on the circular economy.”