Welcoming two new directors

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Patterson and Andrew Benfield to our board of directors:

Keith Patterson has worked for the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) for over 15 years and is currently a Sector Specialist in waste and recycling. He has a background in both the private and public sectors, including in local government where he was responsible for the development of waste strategies and front-line service delivery. At WRAP, Keith employs an evidence-based approach to the development of resource management strategies, behaviour change campaigns, tools, and resources which maximise the value and use of materials. Keith holds a Master of Environmental Management from Ulster University and an MBA from the Open University. He is a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Chartered Waste Manager (MCIWM), and ISWA International Waste Manager.

Andrew Benfield currently leads transport energy issues at the Department for the Economy, as part of the Hydrogen and Advanced Technologies team. Before moving to Northern Ireland in 2018, Andrew spent 16 years at the Energy Saving Trust, working with the UK and devolved governments on climate change and energy policy implementation. He managed the national network of energy advice centres in the early 2000s and set up the first area-based insulation scheme in Scotland in 2010. In 2014, he transformed the Trust’s transport work as the creation of the first electric vehicle advice programme placed them at the vanguard of the EV rollout. From 2016 to 2018, he delivered major EV infrastructure planning projects for London’s black taxis, Heathrow Airport and ran Uber’s first EV trial. 

Rachael Singleton, Chair of Sustainable Northern Ireland, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Keith and Andrew to the board. They bring a breadth of skills, experience and perspective that will help enrich our discussions and decision-making, and we look forward to working with them.”