People: Church set to take the helm at IOM3

London – The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3) has named Dr Colin Church, currently chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), as its new chief executive.

Church will replace Dr Bernie Rickinson who in April announced his intention to retire from the position at the end of 2018.

Church is expected “to take up the position towards the end of this year to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities,” said a 2 Aug statement from the IoM3.

The incoming IoM3 boss, has been chief executive of CIWM, a professional body for resources and waste management, since 2016.

Church is also chair of the circular economy task force, a business-led group convened by Green Alliance, a trustee of CHEM Trust, and has been a member of the Newcastle Waste Commission.

Previously, he was director, environmental quality in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He was also responsible for the UK government’s support for waste infrastructure development, and led for Defra on climate change mitigation.

His career also includes roles as director, national climate change in the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and as leader of the UK team negotiating the revised EU chemicals regime REACH.

Church holds a PhD in organic chemistry from Imperial College London and is a chartered member of CIWM.