Veolia Australia and New Zealand has announced the appointment of Richard Kirkman as Managing Director and CEO.
Kirkman’s focus will be to achieve Veolia’s Impact ANZ 2023 strategic ambitions – pivoting the organisation to be a trusted partner for complex infrastructure solutions and influencing policy as an authoritative voice on challenges the region faces across water, waste and energy.
Kirkman has a depth of experience in this area, having been a founding member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Council for Sustainable Business, a member of the UK Plastics Pact Board and as a Commissioner for the Green Innovation Policy Commission.
“The world is looking for some positivity post-Covid – a green recovery – and I think we can do that in Australia and New Zealand. I am really excited about the opportunity,” Kirkman said.
Since joining the Group via Dalkia as an environmental engineer in 1994, Kirkman has helped position Veolia at the forefront of technology and innovation, delivering the infrastructure to enable its expansion within the resource management sector.
After setting up Dalkia’s research activity in the Nordics in the late 1990s, Kirkman has held a number of senior Veolia commercial, operational and technical positions including Technical Director and Head of Technology.
Since 2015, he has held the role of Chief Technical and Innovation Officer for the United Kingdom and Ireland, with his extensive remit including material and energy sales, planning, construction, fleet and external affairs, as well as operating energy recovery and recycling facilities.
According to a Veolia statement, Kirkman’s leadership style empowers employees to think creatively, deliver innovation and be passionate advocates for improving access to, preserving and replenishing resources.
“Kirkman believes that delivering a sustainable future is about people, customers and teams working together to be successful,” the statement reads.
“His recent steerage of the COVID-19 Special Operations Team within the UK exemplifies the essential nature of the work Veolia employees do, providing uninterrupted waste, water and energy services in the midst of a global pandemic.”
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