Envirolink Northwest is an organisation with a mission: to make the northwest region’s energy and environmental technologies and services sector a world leader.
Set up in October 2000 with the support of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, its aim is to make companies involved in energy and environmental technologies and services more competitive and turn ideas and innovation into profitable business.
Part of its remit is to act as a forum for exchanging ideas and to encourage networking and collaboration, which includes staging a programme of events to bring businesses in the sector together to learn and share best practice.
Envirolink Northwest forged a useful relationship with Dyne Solicitors Limited, after Ruth Burgin, from Envirolink Northwest’s recycling and waste sector development team, attended a seminar run by John Dyne targeted at skip hire companies.
Ruth was impressed both by the way he presented the session, and by the content, so when she was working with the Chartered Institute of Waste Management to arrange a seminar on health, safety and risk assessment in the waste management industry she asked him to become involved.
The event, which was held in February 2008 at the Waterside Conference Centre, Wigan, was also supported by the Health and Safety Executive and attracted 150 delegates, from organisations ranging from UK-wide companies to local skip hire firms.
John’s presentation focused on case studies involving fatalities within the waste management industry and examined the rationale behind the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and its implications for the industry. He also offered expert guidance on practical steps to achieve compliance.
Ruth said: “We have had some very positive feedback from the event, with many compliments on the quality and content of the presentations. John is a very entertaining speaker and doesn’t use corporate jargon, which is important for those who are not legal specialists.
“I hope we get the opportunity to work with John again and if our members wanted further information I would be happy to recommend his services.”