Iain Gulland to step down as Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland after serving in the role for eleven years.
Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) says it has begun the process of recruiting a successor and anticipates Gulland will step down towards the end of 2025 after a new appointment is concluded.
Commenting on the announcement, Iain Gulland said: “I have been privileged to be part of ZWS for over a decade and work with so many passionate and professional colleagues over those years. This felt like the right time to step down, ZWS is ready for a new person for this new era.
“I am grateful for the long-standing support of the Scottish Government in building ZWS over the years, and to our many partners across the public, private, community and academic sectors with whom we have built great relationships leading to real progress towards circularity.”
I have been privileged to be part of ZWS for over a decade and work with so many passionate and professional colleagues over those years.
Iain Gulland became Director of WRAP Scotland in 2008 before overseeing the transition into ZWS in 2014, becoming its first Chief Executive.
Before joining WRAP in 2008, Gulland’s career in the resources sector included leadership roles with Community Recycling Network Scotland (now Circular Communities Scotland) and the Recycling Advisory Group Scotland.
Gulland continues to serve as President of the Association of Cities and Regions for Resource Management (ACR+) in Brussels and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).
He was voted the most influential person in the UK waste and resource efficiency sector by Resource Magazine in their ‘Hot100’ of 2014.
Chair of the Zero Waste Scotland Board, Dominic Fry, commented: “As its founder, Iain shaped ZWS from its origins as an independent company in 2014 and led its successful transition to a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Scottish Government in 2024.
“Iain has been responsible for developing ZWS into Scotland’s champion for the circular economy. The Board thanks Iain for his steadfast commitment, passion and leadership over many years and wishes him every success for the future.”
