James Willcox from construction company, Willmott Dixon, has been appointed as a Board Director at Sustainability West Midlands (SWM).
James, who is Head of Sustainability for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands, joins the Board for an initial three-year term and will use the opportunity to influence and develop policy and sustainability strategy within the region.
A not-for-profit organisation established in 2002, SWM is the region’s sustainability champion. Working with its members across public, private and voluntary sectors, it acts as a catalyst for change by providing advice, developing solutions to sustainability issues, and sharing of success to develop best practice.
Willmott Dixon was recently awarded a 2019 Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development for its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and construction waste, and increase in use of renewable energy.
James said: “SWM has an important part to play and I am very much excited about the opportunities that it will present. I am looking forward to playing a role in shaping sustainability best practice throughout the region, by influencing and supporting member organisations with their sustainability goals and establishing connections through leadership, policy and good governance.
“Having worked in the Midlands for over 15 years and with the future opportunities that construction in the region offers Willmott Dixon, now is just perfect timing.”
SWM’s board is private-sector led and includes representatives from the University of Birmingham, Herefordshire Council, Innovation Birmingham, Severn Trent, Lafarge Tarmac, Cenex, Ecuity Consulting LLP and National Grid.
Members of SWM include Aston University, Business in the Community, Coventry City Council, Coventry University, the Environment Agency, Keele University, University of Warwick, University of Birmingham, Rooftop Housing Group and West Midlands Housing Group.
James continued: “Many of SWM’s members are Willmott Dixon’s customers, so there’s already a strong collaborative connection, which will provide a strong foundation on which we can develop.”