Iain Gulland to step down as Zero Waste Scotland CEO
Founding chief executive Iain Gulland will step down after 11 years leading Zero Waste Scotland through its transformation from independent company to public body, as Scotland implements new circular economy legislation.
Iain Gulland, founding chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), will step down from his role after 11 years leading the organisation through its transformation from independent company to Non-Departmental Public Body.
The announcement comes as Scotland takes the next step in its circular economy transition, with the recently passed Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 providing new legislative powers to advance resource efficiency targets. Zero Waste Scotland became a Non-Departmental Public Body on 1 April 2025 following the Act's implementation, marking a significant milestone in Gulland's tenure.
"Iain has played an exceptionally influential role in the development of resources and recycling policy and practice in Scotland, and beyond," said Dominic Fry, Chair of the Zero Waste Scotland Board. "As its founder, Iain shaped ZWS from its origins as an independent company in 2014 and led its successful transition towards becoming a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Scottish Government in April 2025."
Under Gulland's leadership, ZWS has administered significant funding programmes including the £18 million Circular Economy Investment Fund and the £70 million Recycling Improvement Fund, which has supported 48 projects across 27 council areas. The Recycling Improvement Fund alone is expected to increase annual recycling by approximately 60,000 tonnes, equivalent to removing 32,000 cars from the road.
Gulland's career-to-date in sustainable resource management spans more than 25 years, beginning with his leadership of Community Recycling Network Scotland until 2008, followed by his role as WRAP Scotland's Director from 2008 to 2014. He is a previous winner of the Resource Hot100 - this publication’s annual poll to recognise the most influential people in the waste and resource efficiency sector.
International leadership and policy influence
Beyond his national role, Gulland has served as President of the Association of Cities and Regions for Resource Management (ACR+) since 2018, an international network promoting sustainable resource management across Europe. His presidency was extended for a second term in 2020, recognising his contribution to advancing circular economy practices across European cities and regions.
During his tenure, Scotland achieved international recognition for circular economy leadership, winning the Award for Circular Economy Governments, Cities and Regions at the Circulars Awards at the World Economic Forum in 2018. The award recognised partnership working between the Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, SEPA and Scottish Enterprise in furthering circular economy development.
Scotland's circular economy achievements under Gulland's stewardship include the creation of the Scottish Institute for Remanufacture, the establishment of two large-scale reuse and repair hubs in Edinburgh and the Highlands, and widespread business support programmes. Remanufacturing activities alone now contribute an estimated £1.1 billion annually to Scotland's economy.
Legislative milestone and future transition
The organisation completed its transition to public body status on 1 April 2025, following the passage of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, which received unanimous support from the Scottish Parliament and Royal Assent in August 2024. The Act provides legislative powers to support Scotland's transition to zero waste and significantly increase reuse and recycling rates while modernising waste and recycling services.
"This felt like the right time to step down, Zero Waste Scotland is ready for a new person for this new era," Gulland said. "I am grateful for the long-standing support of the Scottish Government in building Zero Waste Scotland over the years, and to our many partners across the public, private, community and academic sectors with whom we have built great relationships leading to real progress towards circularity."
The Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland Board have begun recruitment for Gulland's successor, with the transition expected to complete by the end of 2025. The timing aligns with the implementation of Scotland's Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030, published in December 2024, which sets out 11 priority actions for accelerating the country's circular economy transition.
Zero Waste Scotland's recent Corporate Plan for 2024-2030 revealed that Scotland's material consumption has reached 22 tonnes per person, nearly triple the estimated sustainable level. The plan aims to reduce raw material extraction by one-third by 2030, presenting significant challenges and opportunities for Gulland's successor.
Fry acknowledged the scale of Gulland's contribution: "We acknowledge his contribution in steering Zero Waste Scotland to many achievements in building the circular economy, including significant investment in developing circular business, building local authority recycling, supporting community sector reuse and shaping Scottish Government policy which has ultimately led to our Circular Economy (Scotland) Act and the live development of Scotland's first Circular Economy Strategy."
In its announcement, ZWS states that Gulland intends to remain active in the sector and will continue his advocacy for circular economy development through a new portfolio. His departure marks the end of an era for Scottish waste and resource management policy, with Zero Waste Scotland's Decade of Delivery report documenting the organisation's achievements between 2014-2024.
