Chris James steps down as CEO of WAMITAB

Following an announcement on 22 July 2020 regarding the closer integration of WAMITAB into the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the awarding body for qualifications in the resources and waste sector, has announced that Chris James has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer.

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

Dan Cooke, the newly-appointed Chair of the WAMITAB Board, said: “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 (EPAO).”

James was appointed as 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, WAMITAB has gained a strong foothold in the parking and cleaning sectors and, in January 2018, WAMITAB 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.

WAMITAB has also been approved to deliver End-Point Assessment for several apprenticeship standards in waste, cleaning and related areas.

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. He will continue to work with CIWM and WAMITAB in a consultative capacity to support future strands of activity around educational development and quality assurance.