Emma Wellman, chair of the cross association Sustainability Working Group, has announced she is stepping down after nine years in the role.
 
Wellman has chaired the group since it was launched in 2005 by the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and brought in the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) and the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), to build an inclusive and comprehensive industry response to sustainability issues.
 
“The last nine years as chair have been tremendously enjoyable, the working group has been a constant source of inspiration and I’m proudest of the general transformation we have managed to bring about in how venues and events think about waste, energy efficiency, recycling and transport,” she said.
 
Paul Jenkins, sustainability and environmental manager at The NEC, is stepping into the role and acknowledged that he has a hard act to follow: “Emma has been instrumental in creating an industry wide expectation of sustainability and environmental responsibility where none existed a decade ago, she led the whole industry forwards with the creation of BS8901 and its adoption as an international standard, putting the UK at the forefront of event and venue sustainability.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for nine years of sterling leadership, and to wish her the very best in her newest challenge.”
 
Chris Skeith, director of AEV, said: “Emma has led the associations forward on sustainability with a passion and commitment we would all do well to emulate. We all wish her the very best with her latest venture and I am in no doubt that it will even be more enjoyable. We also welcome Paul Jenkins as the incoming chair.”
 
Do you have news for Access All Areas? Email Emma Hudson

Emma Wellman, chair of the cross association Sustainability Working Group, has announced she is stepping down after nine years in the role.
 
Wellman has chaired the group since it was launched in 2005 by the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and brought in the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) and the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), to build an inclusive and comprehensive industry response to sustainability issues.
 
“The last nine years as chair have been tremendously enjoyable, the working group has been a constant source of inspiration and I’m proudest of the general transformation we have managed to bring about in how venues and events think about waste, energy efficiency, recycling and transport,” she said.
 
Paul Jenkins, sustainability and environmental manager at The NEC, is stepping into the role and acknowledged that he has a hard act to follow: “Emma has been instrumental in creating an industry wide expectation of sustainability and environmental responsibility where none existed a decade ago, she led the whole industry forwards with the creation of BS8901 and its adoption as an international standard, putting the UK at the forefront of event and venue sustainability.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for nine years of sterling leadership, and to wish her the very best in her newest challenge.”
 
Chris Skeith, director of AEV, said: “Emma has led the associations forward on sustainability with a passion and commitment we would all do well to emulate. We all wish her the very best with her latest venture and I am in no doubt that it will even be more enjoyable. We also welcome Paul Jenkins as the incoming chair.”
 
Do you have news for Access All Areas? Email Emma Hudson