Interview With Victor Evans
We're excited to bring you an insightful conversation with Victor Evans, Senior Contract Manager at Veolia, Camden. With years of experience under his belt, Victor has been at the forefront of navigating the complexities and challenges of the waste management industry.
In this interview, we delve into his journey, explore the unique aspects of his role, and discuss the importance of sustainability in shaping a greener future. Join us as we uncover the inner workings of a sector that plays a pivotal role in our daily lives…
Hi Victor, can you describe your current role as a senior contract manager at Veolia, Camden and what your key responsibilities are?
As the senior contract manager I am responsible for managing the relationship with the client, ensuring excellent service delivery, introducing innovative solutions, creating a safe and thriving work environment, and maintaining high standards of health and safety. All staff work hard to ensure our purpose of Ecological Transformation is at the heart of everything we do.
How does your experience in both local authorities and waste management companies influence your approach to managing contracts?
Working in a local authority requires you to be much more mindful of the political landscape, and working in the private sector requires you to be highly proactive. Understanding the expectations of your customer, be they the client or the local residents, and instilling a flexible working approach in your teams is vital for managing a contract successfully.
What are the main challenges you face in managing contracts for waste services in an area like Camden?
The biggest challenge is shifting the mindsets of people around waste segregation and minimisation. Providing innovative solutions to make it as easy as possible for customers to understand their role in waste management is a key aspect. Having a large fleet also brings challenges, particularly in central London where parking is limited.
What role does recycling and sustainability play in your work, and how have these priorities evolved over the years?
We have evolved significantly over the years to move beyond waste management and recycling and build sustainable circular practices into our core business. We deliver Ecological Transformation for our customers through decarbonisation, de-pollution, and resource regeneration in practice.
What are the key differences between working in waste management for local authorities versus private waste management companies?
Working with local authorities involves a shared responsibility for the solutions to the challenges experienced by the customers. As a leader in the waste sector, we focus on exceptional customer service and expertise to ensure the safe disposal of waste.
What motivated you to pursue a career in waste management, and what has kept you engaged in this field for over 15 years?
The waste industry is unique and not one person has the same career path. Since I have started the sector has evolved, with sustainability and waste minimisation becoming a greater priority. Working in the industry showcases the importance of correct waste management and the impact waste has on the environment.
What changes do you foresee in the waste management industry in the next 5-10 years, especially in your area of Camden?
The next 5-10 years will showcase huge technological and legislative changes to the waste industry. At Veolia, we will explore every opportunity to reduce our environmental footprint by investing in green technologies and continue to drive up recycling rates by working with communities and customers to reduce waste.
Thanks so much Victor! We hope this interview has provided valuable insights and sparked a greater appreciation for the vital work being done behind the scenes. For more information on Veolia, visit https://www.veolia.co.uk
