SocEnv appoints first Chief Executive Officer

The Society for the Environment has followed quickly on from the grant of its Petition for a Royal Charter (6 May 2004) with the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tim Bines1. Dr. Bines will lead SocEnv through the establishment of the register of Chartered Environmentalists (CEnv) which will be the pre-eminent qualification and recognition of excellence for environmental professionals.

SocEnv was established in 2000, and aspires to be the leading and co-ordinating umbrella body in environmental matters and a pre-eminent champion of a sustainable environment. Its full membership comprises ten leading environmental institutions and learned societies (known as "Constituent Bodies"), each of which may apply to be licensed to grant the new qualification of CEnv to their appropriately qualified individual members. Between them the Constituent Bodies have individual memberships comprising over 100,000 practitioners.

Will Pope, Chairman of the Society, said:

"I am very pleased to welcome Tim Bines to SocEnv, his appointment is an exciting step in the development of the Society. Our new qualification of CEnv is an important milestone for the environmental profession and Tim will play a key role in establishing the register and also moving forward the development and general services of the Society".

SocEnv continues to attract great support from key players and organisations in the environment sector and will expand our reputation as a champion of sustainable environmental management. SocEnv fosters a culture of inclusivity and ethical behaviour for the common good. The identities of its Constituent Bodies are maintained, while their primacy as centres of excellence within their fields is recognised and enhanced. New Constituent Bodies with specific technical expertise continue to apply to join SocEnv as full members, the latest formally indicating its desire to qualify members as "CEnv" being the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

Jim Thompson, Chairman of Panel which led the Board's search for the CEO, said:

"Now the hard work is really starting, converting the many active individual members into registered Chartered Environmentalists, and Tim Bines will play a key role in co-ordinating member activities in this respect, and increasing the profile of the Society".

Tim Bines, new Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I am honoured to be in a position to develop the Society's Petition for a Royal Charter which was granted by Her Majesty the Queen at a meeting of the Privy Council on 6 May 2004. The important job of licensing institutions and setting up a Register of Chartered Environmentalists (CEnv) has now begun in earnest, and I look forward to the immense opportunities which are now before the Society and its members, and to helping with the many challenges in achieving a sustainable environment for all, through working with the Constituent Bodies and their members".

The criteria for CEnv are based on education, training, experience, and professional and ethical conduct. Constituent Bodies of the Society will be licensed to grant the CEnv qualification through a fast track "grandparenting" process which lasts 12 months, but only those people who are suitably qualified members on the date their Constituent Body is awarded a licence may be fast tracked. Thereafter, applicants will go through the full process, which includes professional review interviews.

For further information contact:

Will Pope: 07774 275171 or [mailto:[email protected]]
Tim Bines: 07791 229820 or [mailto:[email protected]]
Jim Thompson: 01962 868686 or [mailto:[email protected]]

See [external_socenv::http://www.socenv.org.uk/] for further information including fees.