Wood Recyclers’ Association announces new chair

Mark Hayton has been announced as the new Chair of the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA), taking over from Richard Coulson who steps down after a four-year term.
Richard chaired his final members’ meeting and AGM in Bristol on March 19, before handing over the reins to Mark, director of wood recycling company EGGER Timberpak, which sources waste wood for EGGER’s chipboard production sites.
Mark has a detailed knowledge of the waste wood sector, having grown Timberpak from a single site processing 20,000 tonnes-a-year to a four-site operation processing more than 400,000 tonnes of waste wood a year.
At the meeting, WRA board member Richard Jenkins, CEO of Seras, was also appointed WRA Deputy Chair/Chair in Waiting. In this role, Richard will work closely alongside Mark to steer the work of the WRA.
Richard Jenkins replaces Andy Hill as Deputy Chair, with Andy now departing the board alongside Alan Webb. A former WRA Chair, Andy now becomes an Honorary Life President of the WRA.
Furthermore, Elizabeth Green of Community Wood Recycling and Oliver Latter from Veolia were elected as new members on the WRA Board.
Mark said: “It is a privilege to be appointed Chair of the WRA and I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to build on the strong foundations built by my predecessors. There is a lot going on in the industry at the moment which impacts our members and I will be honoured to represent the sector as Chair.”
Richard Jenkins said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of Deputy Chair at what is a pivotal time for the sector and look forward to working with Mark to drive forward the WRA’s important work.”
Julia Turner, Executive Director of the WRA, said: “Mark has been a prominent voice on our board for the last 11 years and he and Richard Jenkins bring with them so much expertise and leadership experience. I look forward to working with them both to ensure the WRA continues to deliver for its members and represent them at the highest levels.
“I would also like to welcome to the board Elizabeth Green and Oliver Latter, who have a wealth of experience in reuse, recycling and waste management and will be very valuable additions.
“Finally, a huge thank you on behalf of everyone at the WRA to Richard Coulson for his unwavering commitment and dedication to the WRA. Richard has expertly led our Association over the past four years and we are very pleased that he will remain on our board and continue to lead our biomass advocacy work.”