KESAB environmental solutions appoints Wendy Bevan as new CEO
The Board of KESAB environmental solutions has appointed respected SA executive and government relations professional, Wendy Bevan as CEO on the retirement of John Phillips OAM, who will leave the organisation in mid-July after more than thirty years.
Ms Bevan has an extensive professional career in senior management, advocacy and government relations with prominent SA member-based organisations including the SA branch of the Australian Hotels Association and the RAA, as well as with SA state government. She will take up the role officially on July 14th.
Chair of KESAB, Ros DeGaris, said Wendy has a proven track record in management and stakeholder relations. “Wendy has experience in environmental projects and recycling policy all of which contribute to supporting KESAB’s core capabilities” she said, “we look forward to Wendy joining the team.”
Of her new appointment Ms Bevan said, “I am delighted to be joining KESAB environmental solutions and I look forward to leading this long standing, iconic and very well-respected SA environmental organisation into the future.
“The environmental and, increasingly economic, issues of climate change, water conservation and waste reduction and resource recovery have never been more critical and the valuable and valued work of KESAB, with its proactive education programmes has never been more important.
“KESAB is known for its strong relationships with government, business, schools and the community. It relies on its corporate and government partners and collaborative stakeholders all with a genuine interest in seeing KESAB continue its leadership and environmental sustainability education and engagement outcomes.,” Ms Bevan said.
John Phillips retires after 31 years with the best wishes of management, staff and volunteers.
Ms DeGaris described John’s service to KESAB as “exceptional and personal” that brought massive growth to the organisation in capacity and its value to the State and Nation across three decades of change and challenge. This enabled KESAB to be flexible, proactive and creative in delivering education programs to reach a wider community here and overseas
“In our partnerships with key drivers and stakeholders, KESAB environmental solutions will continue to develop and deliver relevant programs and materials responding to changes around us, engaging community with objectives to improve SA’s already strong performance in litter reduction, resource recovery and increasing waste diversion from landfill.
“KESAB’s initiatives focus on capacity building, professional development and training, underpinned by research and waste auditing which in turn provide a platform to identify new opportunities to target problematic waste streams.
“The combination of our service agreements with Green Industries SA and Landscape South Australia and corporate partnerships such as those with Sims Metal Management and SA Water underpin new education materials and resources that allow KESAB to extend the reach and scope of its service,” Ms DeGaris said.
KESAB is increasingly in demand by business and industry to deliver waste and recycling auditing through its trained waste audit specialists to better understand waste streams and opportunities to identify new recycling and implement food waste to resources initiatives.
In recent years KESAB’s reach has extended globally with KESAB programs and training delivered internationally in Mongolia and Kiribati, while supporting SA home grown green industries at trade events in the Middle East.
KESAB’s key community programs include “APY Lands Education Bore to Tap”, “Wipe Out Waste”, “Litter Less”, “Road Watch”, various education programs for Landscape South Australia (Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, formerly AMLR NRM) and multiple innovative learning programmes delivered through the development of web-based micro sites and social media communication, as well as locally showcasing the Wingfield Education Centre to schools and community groups.
