Our Board
The Circular South East strategic Advisory Board brings together a focussed group of stakeholders representing multiple sectors - all of whom are working towards a circular future.
Each Board Member brings their expertise and guidance to Circular South East, helping with project direction and development.
CHAIR: Margaret Bates
Dr Margaret Bates has nearly 40 years experience in waste management and the circular economy, across academia, government, and industry. She led the establishment of the UK’s Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme Administrator working across governments and the packaging value chain. Previously she has held roles as Managing Director of OPRL, Professor of Sustainable Wastes Management and President of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. Margaret is a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Wastes Manager, International Wastes Manager, and a Fellow of both CIWM and IOM3 and a Founding Fellow of the Circular Economy Institute.
Tom Willis
Tom Willis was appointed Chief Executive at Shoreham Port in November 2019. Alongside his work in maritime he brings extensive leadership experience in logistics gained at Royal Mail and aviation at Heathrow. Alongside his executive responsibilities, he is Chair of the Board at Sutton Decentralised Energy Network an innovative sustainable energy supplier and Advisory Board Member at the University of Sussex Business School.
Matt Montgomery
Senior Leadership experience across public, private and academic sectors, advising Executives, Boards & Councils on all matters that could affect the sustainable delivery and operations of assets, infrastructure, organisations and cities, in the built, natural and digital environments. Specialist skills in systems thinking, innovation, change, transformation and technology that can be applied to solve problems, develop solutions, plans and strategies. Experience delivering projects and programmes at local, city, regional and national levels.
Amy Hooper
Richard Cox
Reniera O'Donnell
Paul Connolly
Rebecca Smith
Gareth Rollings
Nick Mills
Amy Hooper is Group Head of Sustainability & Innovation at Biffa, one of the UK’s leading waste management organisations. In her role at Biffa, Amy works with internal teams and external partners across industry, academia, NGOs, startups and the public sector to accelerate innovation in waste management, resource efficiency and circular economy solutions. Her work spans portfolio governance, collaborative pilot coordination, evidence‑based sustainability reporting, and the development of partnerships that support the transition to a more resilient, circular economy.
Richard Cox is the Chief Executive of Burgess Hill Business Parks Association. The group includes over 250 members operating in diverse fields including viticulture, life sciences, avionics, manufacturing and logistics .
Richard's extensive knowledge of the business landscape across Sussex gives him a unique perspective on the emerging opportunities for harnessing circular economy principles to current and planned industrial developments in both established and emerging tech sectors.
A senior circular economy leader specialising in circular business models, food systems, and regenerative economic transformation. She has led global initiatives including the Big Food Redesign Challenge and the Fashion ReModel, mobilising businesses and partners to turn circular economy principles into practical solutions. Her background in UK local government brings a strong focus on connecting global ambition with place-based delivery and community resilience.
coming soon.
Rebecca Smith is Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Kent, a community interest company supporting charities, social enterprises and purpose-led organisations and communities across Kent and Medway. With a background in organisational development, social enterprise and strategic partnerships, she leads programmes that strengthen the VCSE sector, support community resilience and connect public and private investment with social impact. Rebecca is particularly focused on building effective cross-sector collaborations that deliver practical and measurable benefits for communities.
Experienced public‑sector leader and Chartered Waste Manager with over 20 years’ expertise in waste, recycling, and environmental services. As Head of Waste at West Sussex County Council, Gareth leads strategic planning, major contracts, and service innovation. Appointed Chair of LARAC in 2026, he champions practical, sector‑focused solutions as national reforms progress providing a local authority voice to government. His career spans senior roles overseeing multi‑million‑pound contracts, infrastructure projects, and operational teams, driven by a commitment to sustainable, high‑quality public services.
Leading the delivery of £1bn programme and an innovative delivery team using partnership approaches to significantly reduce our impact on the environment through catchment and nature-based solutions. Nick is an engineer with a background in complex and innovative programmes. He is a chartered with the Institute of Engineering & Technology, has an Engineering Doctorate and was awarded an industrial fellowship from the Royal Commission of 1851 for his work.