New SocEnv Board Members Elected at EGM

Our Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) was held online on the 23rd January 2025, followed by a secondary vote process, to elect new Board positions. Those elected will commence their roles at the AGM in June. These include:

• six new SocEnv Board Members

• one new Vice Chair

• one new Honorary Secretary

• one existing Board Member elected for a second term

Our Member Bodies came together virtually for a formal EGM. The main agenda item – to cast their votes and elect candidates for vacant positions on our Board. The elections come after we receive more Board candidates than ever before.

The elections have taken place almost five months before their Board roles will commence. For the first time, new Board Members will have the opportunity to shadow the current Board to encourage a gradual transition prior to their roles officially getting started.

The EGM results

Chair of the Board, Dougal Driver CEnv, said; “The first 20 years of SocEnv has seen many challenges overcome by our dedicated members. However, never has there been a greater need for environmental professionalism than now.

I therefore warmly welcome our new Board Member colleagues with a challenge – to go again, keep learning collaborating and leading the way to a more sustainable world.”

New Board roles elected:

Elected Vice Chair of the Board

Prof. Ian Barker HonFSE CEnv
Director, Institute of Water

Elected Honorary Secretary of the Board

Simon Benfield CEnv
Head of Department, Bridges and Highways South, Ramboll UK

Elected for second Board term

Natalie Akroyd CEnv
Director of Quality and Environment, South Staffs Water

Thank you

In response to the EGM elections, SocEnv Chief Executive, Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, said; “I look forward to working alongside our new Board Member colleagues. This is also an ideal opportunity to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the outgoing Board Members for their dedication, expertise, and invaluable input during their terms.

Another ‘thank you’ goes to all of the record number of outstanding candidates who applied for Board positions but were unsuccessful in the end. Your interest in, and enthusiasm for, supporting our work was clear to see and I hope we can still work closely to collectively achieve our goals.”

Our outgoing Board Members continue their invaluable roles with us until June’s AGM:

• Alan Harper CEnv
• Graham Higginson REnvP
• Francesca Berriman MBE
• Brian Robinson CEnv
• Colin Church CEnv
• Kirsten Röttcher CEnv
• Ross Weddle CEnv