Vic Emery becomes first Chair of Zero Waste Scotland

Following its transition to a new corporate structure on 1 July, Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has today (8 July) announced the appointment of Vic Emery as its first Chair.

ZWS, a resource efficiency organisation funded by the Scottish Government to support the delivery of its Zero Waste Plan, was previously part of the UK-based Waste and Resources Action Programme but is now operating as a separate, Scottish-registered company.

Emery (pictured, right) has previously held roles as Managing Director of BAE Systems Warship Division and was a former Board Member and Chair of Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. He currently holds the role of Chair at the Scottish Police Authority and, in January 2014, was announced as President of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

It is hoped that his appointment will help ZWS build ‘strong partnerships’ across the public and private sectors to ‘deliver on Scotland’s ambitious agenda to establish a more circular economy’.

'Driving progress in Scotland on resource efficiency, recycling, litter and the circular economy'

Speaking about his new position, Emery said: “I’m delighted to be appointed the first Chair of Zero Waste Scotland. This is an organisation with a hugely important mission - achieving more efficient or ‘circular’ use of resources is a must-do for the long-term health of our economy and our environment.

“I’m excited about the future, not least in working with an energetic staff team with some terrific achievements already under their belts. I will work with them to drive progress in Scotland on key issues such as resource efficiency, recycling, litter and the circular economy.”

Welcoming the appointment, Director of ZWS Iain Gulland said: “I am very pleased to welcome Vic Emery as Zero Waste Scotland’s first Chair. I know that Vic will provide proven leadership skills, experience and expertise to take Zero Waste Scotland forward in the years to come. As an organisation we have a broader remit than ever before, ranging from recycling to energy efficiency and litter prevention, and having Vic on board will help us to build strong partnerships across the public and private sectors to help us meet our ambitious objectives.”

Scottish Environment Minister Richard Lochhead, added:  “I am delighted that Vic Emery is to become Zero Waste Scotland’s first Chair.

“I am confident that his considerable experience of business, and public service will be invaluable in helping the newly independent Zero Waste Scotland to forge the right partnerships to deliver on Scotland’s ambitious agenda to establish a more circular economy – where materials and products are kept in valuable use for longer, with economic and environmental benefits.”

Read more about Zero Waste Scotland.