Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th April 2024 Issue no. 1111

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Chris James steps down from WAMITAB CEO role

Following the announcement on 22nd July 2020 regarding the closer integration of the Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board (WAMITAB) into the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Chris James has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer of WAMITAB.

Since 2017, WAMITAB has been part of the CIWM Group, whose chief executive Sarah Poulter will be taking forward the integration plan for the two organisations in consultation with both trustee boards.

Dan Cooke, the newly-appointed chair of the WAMITAB Board, says: "In common with most organisations, 2020 has been a challenging year, and it is important that we take steps now to consolidate our ongoing financial sustainability and resilience. The closer alignment of CIWM and WAMITAB is central to this strategy and will allow us to take advantage of opportunities for streamlining and sharing of resources and plan for some exciting opportunities as we work in collaboration.

"We would like to thank Chris James for his leadership and drive over the last eight years; he has played a key role in successfully steering WAMITAB to its current position as a robust specialist awarding organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing chair of WAMITAB, Rob Little, for his hard work and support during his tenure in the role."

Chris was appointed CEO of WAMITAB in March 2012 and has been instrumental in diversifying the organisation into new skills areas, reflecting the evolution of some of the key players in the waste and resource management sector. Over the last eight years, it has gained a strong foothold in the parking and cleaning sectors and, in January 2018, was selected by the Ministry of Justice as the exclusive Awarding Organisation for cleaning, facilities management and waste management qualifications across Her Majesty's Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. It has also been approved to deliver End-Point Assessment for several apprenticeship standards in waste, cleaning and related areas.

Chris James was made a Fellow of the CIWM in June 2020 in recognition of his work at WAMITAB and his wider contribution to the sector. Reflecting on his time at the organisation, Chris says: "It's been a great honour to head up the team at WAMITAB, and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last eight years. I am confident that I leave behind a strong foundation for the future growth of the awarding body offer within the new combined organisation. I am looking forward to working with CIWM and WAMITAB in a consultative capacity to support future strands of activity around educational development and quality assurance."

WAMITAB works directly with industry to shape and deliver employer-led qualifications for those working in cleaning, street cleansing, facilities management, resource management and recycling and parking from operative through to management level. With over 120 qualification pathways and 70 quality assured centres, it is approved as an EPAO for the following apprenticeship standards: Level 2 Healthcare Cleaning Operative; Level 2 Metal Recycling General Operative; Level 2 Waste Resource Operative; Level 3 Facilities Management Supervisor and Level 3 S.H.E. Technician.

www.wamitab.org.uk / www.ciwm.co.uk

6th August 2020