Speakers

Dan Cooke

CIWM President (2023/24)

Head of Protected & Historic Landscapes, Cornwall Council

An environmental (ESG), communications and landscapes professional with over 35 years’ experience in the recycling/waste management, water and landscapes sectors (working across private companies, public authorities and charities), Dan’s current role is within Cornwall Council’s Environmental Partnerships & Climate Change Service.

He is responsible for the teams overseeing two National Landscapes (Cornwall and Tamar Valley Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site, and the Council’s Strategic Historic Environment and Heritage service. These services encompass 445 square miles designated as National Landscapes, over 1300 scheduled Monuments, the UNESCO Mining World Heritage Site status, and a range of heritage-led regeneration projects.

Dan has held previous roles at: Pennon Group plc (Head of Sustainability); Viridor (Director of Communications, Director of Regulatory & External Affairs); Tidy Britain Group/Environmental Campaigns Ltd; and Coventry City Council.

He holds current non-Exec roles as: President & Trustee (recent Chair) of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management; Trustee - Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

Previously he has served as: Chair of the Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board (WAMITAB); Director of Viridor Credits Environmental Ltd (an independent grant-giving charity distributing £5-8m p.a. via the Landfill Communities Fund); and Trustee of the Carymoor Environmental Trust.

In his spare time, Dan is passionate about punk rock, folk and jungle-techno music. He loves art and natural history, as well as being a keen surfer, walker, tennis player and off-the-beaten-track cyclist.

He is also an avid Aston Villa supporter, so knows the fine line between hope and despair…