Steering Group

BESST is led by a private sector steering group, comprising Ricoh, DENSO, Simmonsigns, Epwin Group, Lyreco, Environment Agency & Best Western Valley Hotel, which ensures as a network we meet our member’s needs.

 

Andy Whyle – Ricoh Products UK , BESST Chair

Andy started woking at Ricoh in 1986 and became Environment Officer at Ricoh in 2001, Vice-Chair of BESST in 2002 and Chair in 2006 and represents Ricoh, BESST Steering Group and network members in many areas of the sustainability arena and continually raises the profile of the network locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Representing BESST at Telford Business Board , Chairing the West Midlands Green Business Clubs  and being a Top 50 Green Leader are just a few of Andy’s achievements, all of which can be viewed on LinkedIn

 

Joint Vice-Chair:  Manel Roura – Lyreo

Quality, Safety and Sustainability Manager at Lyreco.  Previously Manel has been responsible for the environmental performance of the Denso Telford site, where the most notable achievements  Manel made were the development of the eco-garden, zero-waste to landfill and implementing resource efficiency measures.

 

Joint-Vice Chair: Mark Simmons – Salop Holdings

Mark was made a Director of Simmonsigns in 2003 and as a member of the Institute of Directors gained his diploma in Company Direction in 2006. His latest professional development achievement was to become a Licensed Business Practitioner of Neuro–Linguistic Programming.

When BESST was first launched in 1997 Mark was proud to be there and also at its 2006 re launch, in 2007 accepted the position of Vice-Chair looking after the interests of the small to medium sized members. Mark is now proud to be Group Development Director of Salop Holdings

 

Barbara Taylor – Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Ironbridge Gorge Museum are proud winners of the  Visit England Large Attraction Gold Tourism award and we are delighted to have Barbara as one of our Steering Group members. From a graphic design background, Barbara is now PA to the CEO of IGMT and brings great organisational skills & connections to the network.

 

Martin Booth – DENSO

Martin is a  trained lead auditor in quality, environmental, health & safety, ethical & social accountability management, and has managed high profile company quality and environmental campaigns in continuous improvements, waste minimisation and energy management with associated legislative compliance. Martin is also experienced in community programmes, local government committees, environmental interest groups & stakeholder survey

 

Jaclyn Kitson – BESST Coordinator

Jaclyn has coordinated BESST’s activities since 2011 and recently completed an IEMA Internal Auditing Course. Jaclyn’s background is purchasing in the automotive sector and now adds event and network mangement to her skills base. Currently working towards a Level 4 Diploma in Business and Administration, she is also looking to further her career into the environmental sector.

 

Paul Nelms – Epwin Group

As Group Environmental Manager, of the Epwin Group, Paul has been heavily involved in the Group’s drive towards sustainability in the plastics industry. Paul fully participated in a European initiative, jointly organised by The Natural Step and the Blekinge Institute of Technology, entitled “Leading Change for a Sustainable Chemicals Industry”, the aim of which is to promote best environmental practice throughout the key players of the plastic industries supply chain.

Paul’s project work within the Group includes rainwater harvesting and zero waste to landfill. As a member of the BESST steering committee, he plays an active role in promoting best environmental practice and supporting businesses that wish to develop and improve their own environmental core skills.

 

Paul Hayward – Environment Agency

His work for the Environment Agency has enabled Paul to present at BESST’s Annual Legislation Update events to keep our members informed about the legislation that affects their business. BESST have recently been selected by the Environment Agency to pilot the inaugural Blue Business Award which is being awarded in November 2015.