HUMBER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGERS’ NETWORK

We had a chat with the chair of our Humber Environmental Managers Network Chair Tony Edwards:

Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am an environmental manager who has worked in Yorkshire and Humber since the mid-1970s. I started off in pollution control and in tome became a senior regional manager for the Environment Agency (EA) with also responsibilities for water resources and flood risk management. My final post in the Agency, before taking early retirement, was Humber Strategies Manager. I then worked part time for the Humber Industry Nature Conservation Association (INCA), which became the Humber Nature Partnership (HNP) in 2013. Although not now an employee of HNP, I am one of its directors and was its chair from 2014 to 2019.

Since leaving the Environment Agency I have also been a part-time lecturer in the Institute for Chemistry in Industry, University of Hull contributing to NEBOSH Environmental Certificate and Diploma courses, and giving the Environmental Sustainability module for the University’s BSc in Health Safety and the Environment.

I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, have a BSc in Geography from King’s College University of London and a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia.

For those that have not heard of the Environmental Managers’ Network, please tell us about the network and its objectives:
The purpose is to consider the development and application of legislation, and related matters affecting companies in the Humber environs. The topics we cover include natural capital, environmental management systems, air and water pollution, waste management/waste minimisation, contaminated land, flood risks, biodiversity and climate change.

We meet 3 times a year for the discussion of presentations from the environmental regulators, invited speakers, including from consultancies, and members of the network. One meeting is in the form of a half-day conference.

Why did you decide to become the chair of this network?
I first got involved in the Network representing the former Humber INCA, which was one of the Network’s members. I then had my arm twisted to be its Chair! HNP supports CATCH in the running of the Network. I have long been involved in working with business to achieve practical outcomes, which benefit both the environment and companies, including their bottom line, for example on waste minimisation. It is my contention that good environmental practice is good business practice benefiting people, wildlife and business.

HNP is one of 47 local nature partnerships in England, with members principally interested in the Humber Estuary. Membership includes local authorities, EA and Natural England, industries and environmental NGOs. Our mission is, “Industry and nature in harmony in one of Europe’s great estuaries”. We are much concerned with the habitats regulation, river basin management, flooding and the practical enhancement of biodiversity on industrial sites. A number of the companies that attend HEMN are also members of HNP.

 What is the networks biggest achievement(s) so far?
Probably our annual conferences which each have four to six by leading speakers in their field providing information, future speculation and stimulating debate. Subjects recently include Climate Change, the UK’s 25 Year Environment Plan, Wildlife on Humber Industrial Sites, Environmental Impact Assessment and Air Quality Management. This year’s conference on Low Carbon Humber has had to be postponed.

What type of companies attend the network?
The Network brings together managers from some of the larger companies in the Humber region, particularly from the energy, chemicals and steel industries, along with some of their supply change and professional advisers including on environmental law, the Environment Agency, Humber Nature Partnership and some local authority officers.

 Why should companies get involved?
The practical implications for companies in the area of environmental developments are described and discussed. On some topics this can help companies in making their response to formal consultations. There are regular updates by the Environment Agency on the long term flood risk management strategy for the estuary, which includes the considerable threat to people and property from rising sea left and other climate change impacts. Attendees also exchange information on opportunities and difficulties they encounter, and make contacts for gaining mutual support

What are the most common challenges companies face at the moment and how does attending this network help?
The challenges include new or amendment of environmental legislation, climate change, flood risk and exploiting the opportunities for benefiting wildlife and the community. The Network considers such matters in a practical manner relevant to the Humber situation. Network members also get invites to HNP meetings and its annual conferences.

For further information on the network, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org

We are delighted to announce that judging has commenced for the CATCH Awards, sponsored by E3 Recruitment. The Awards will be presented at the CATCH Annual Awards Dinner on the 24^th September 2020.

Our final finalists to be announced are for Best Skills Project , this award celebrates those who are actively involved in changing the landscape, not only for themselves but for the industry too. This award celebrates skills at all levels, from involvement with schools, colleges, training providers and universities to continuous development and upskilling staff in the workplace.

Our first finalist is Syngenta, our judges commented: “I like the way that Syngenta have gone out in to the community and educational establishments using their current apprentices acting as ambassadors and advocates of their scheme. They are really engaging with a wide audience and very importantly, they have analysed demographics in their recruitment campaigns to identify and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. They have gone to great lengths to educate and promote apprenticeships which will go a long way to fill skills gaps within industry.”

Our next finalist is Solenis our judges commented: “Solenis, built in 4 days of process safety training per year for everyone on site and are using gold standard service providers in process safety delivery. I was impressed by how everyone gets involved and how process safety training is delivered to all levels in the organisation. 4 days training for every employee on site is a huge commitment to developing the skills and knowledge of the workforce.

Our final finalist is Jacobs Field Services, our judges said, “The approach by Jacobs deserves praise for actively encouraging all employees to complete CPD on conscious inclusion for more than 5000 staff, that’s a brilliant undertaking. Combined with the championing of modern apprenticeships and the desire for the safety officer to understand more about mental health in order to roll out awareness to employees just shows how serious Jacobs are taking awareness and upskilling”

Katie Hedges, Head of Membership Services said “The nominations for this award were very encouraging, all nominated companies are committed to the upskilling of their staff and the future of their business through apprenticeship and graduate programmes, again it was a really tough choice for our judges!   Good luck to our three finalists, and we look forward to presenting the award on the 24^th September”.

Keep an eye out for further announcements and if you would like further information regarding the CATCH Annual Dinner, please contact Lisa Buck – lisa.buck@catchuk.org

We are delighted to announce that judging has commenced for the CATCH Awards, sponsored by E3 Recruitment. The Awards will be presented at the CATCH Annual Awards Dinner on the 24th September 2020.

Our next finalists to be announced are for the anticipated Young Achiever Award, this award celebrates those who are the future of our industry.

Our first finalist is Tiffany Boal, Electrical Apprentice, Jacobs Field Services. Her site manager speaks extremely highly of her work and her ideas and continued out the box thinking to problem solving and helping fellow peers produce the most cost effective and efficient job for the client and her employer.  Tiffany’s main duties are to work along side experienced & highly qualified Electricians whilst studying her ‘on the job apprenticeship’ training. This is carried out on a Class 1 Nuclear Power Station, Sellafield Cumbria, on top tier projects of installation, maintenance, fault finding, commissioning & decommissioning on a multitude of Electrical systems throughout the site. The high level of work Tiffany has required to work to, helps her improve her ever evolving knowledge and skill base day by day and become a valued member of the team and an asset to the business and client. The judges commented, “Tiffany sounds a tenacious individual, an exceptional team player & out of the box thinker. She has a natural flare for the trade and goes above and beyond in her job”.

Our next finalist is Robbie Hutchinson, Science Manufacturing Technical Apprentice from Nufarm. He has been assisting the Plant Manager in drafting and formalising plant operating procedures which have included housekeeping and weekly safety checks. The Plant Manager fully endorses this nomination and would like to add that Robbie shows a level of emotional intelligence and maturity of someone a lot older in years. He also adds that Robbie never grumbles when asked to do a task and is always very willing to learn. The judges commented, “Robbie is a trailblazer completing NVQ levels 18mths early – pushed himself outside of his comfort zone, working to high standards and assisting other apprentices”.

Our final finalist is William (Billy) Suggit, Operations Technican at Px Limited. Billy Suggit has started his approach, commitment and contributions in his working life as he means to go on – as a leader with a positive, results focussed, can do approach. With a safety award for his positive safety attitude, his recognition as the first person to achieve 100% in level 3 processing mathematics and his support and encouragement to others considering apprenticeships as a career opportunity by supporting careers fairs and open days. PX were very pleased to recruit Billy straight from his apprenticeship into the role of Operations Technician at Saltend. The judges commented, “A leader with a positive approach, exceptional performance, completes work to a high standard. Nominated for a company safety award – a team player”.

Katie Hedges, Head of Membership Services said “This award is always a very difficult one to judge, reading about the up and coming talent in the industry is extremely encouraging, and to see that many spend their time mentoring and coaching the next generation, whilst making such a difference in their own organisation is exemplary.  Good luck to our three finalists, and we look forward to presenting the award on the 24th September”.

Keep an eye out for further announcements and if you would like further information in regard to the CATCH Annual Dinner, please contact Lisa Buck – lisa.buck@catchuk.org