Meet the team

Ian Hammond, Chair and Co-Founder

I worked as a Hospital Pharmacist for over 35 years specialising in technical aspects including the manufacture and analysis of medicines, before moving into management. For the last decade before my retirement in 2010 I managed Clinical Support Services for Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust.

After my retirement I became active in the local community group who were opposing the building of an incinerator. I provided scientific and technical support for the group. From this involvement I came to appreciate the need for major changes to the systems of waste management and that efficient use and re-use of materials was an essential requirement.

Rosie Dowen, Treasurer and Co-Founder

I have spent years volunteering, running and supporting community projects. I studied Managing Performance (with a focus on disability arts, community regeneration and arts development). As a result of that I have been treasurer, secretary and director for multiple companies in the creative industries. However, my current 'day job' is working at the University of Bradford, where I am IT Project Manager Lead. I am proud to be working at a community focused organisation with a significant commitment to the UN 17 Sustainable Development goals, as well as a thriving community of Circular economy students, academics and professionals from around the world.

It's an honour to support the Circularity Foundation and their aims to increase education of a circular economy informal, social and community forums, complementing the work undertaken formal educational institutions.

Dr John Webb, Trustee and Co-Founder

I have enjoyed a long career in Information Technology companies and academic departments, finally working part-time in the 2000s for PCVUE Solutions, a French-owned company. In 2012 I retired to make more time for voluntary roles.

I enjoy community events, the Transition (Towns) Network, everyday cycling, downhill skiing and dog walking. I am active towards reducing our collective ‘carbon footprint’ so as to limit climate instability in future. When Hertfordshire County Council first proposed to procure a mass-burn incinerator for its residual waste, I became a founding member of Herts WithOut Waste, specifically to oppose any such development and in order to promote reduction, re-use and recycling of materials.

In mid 2017 I became a director of the UK Without Incineration Network (UKWIN). This makes use of my experience on large projects for central government. The Circularity Foundation is emerging with a remit similar to HertsWOW’s but on a national scale amongst the prominent non-governmental organisations. I look forward to taking this work forward on a basis of close teamwork and external co-operation.

Academic Qualifications
PhD Social Sciences: Education & politics: Methods of deconstructing official discourses
MSc Social Sciences: Ecology & Society
DipA&CE: Diploma (with Distinction) in Adult and Continuing Education
FAETC: Further & Adult Education Teaching Certificate
OIPS: Organisational & Interpersonal Skills
BSc: Mathematics & Physics (with 1st year Chemistry & Geology)

Memberships
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS with the IBG) Former member of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) and of the British Computer Society

Lorraine Dowen, Co-Founder

I am thoroughly enjoying working with Shlomo and Josh on this very ambitious project, coming as it does at the end of a long and varied professional career, and as part of my transition into retirement.

As a Registered Nurse (Learning Disability) I became involved in various behavioural science projects, and I studied psychology at the Open University. As a mature student I studied theology and have worked with Shlomo for more than 35 years supporting him with designing and delivering many amazing courses.

I have a strong affinity to systems thinking, feeling and being [see the work of Kathia Castro Laszlo], and as an experienced Systems Thinking Vision Manager I am excited to be reaching out to fellow students of life, to learn together how to weave our new world.

Academic Qualifications
BA(Hons) Theology (Hull)

Shlomo Dowen, Company Secretary and Co-Founder

My involvement in setting up the Circularity Foundation as an educational charity arose from my lifelong interest in learning and sharing understandings combined with my systems practice and my commitment to supporting active citizenship.

My interest in the circular economy is a natural extension of my work supporting access to environmental information, the pursuit of justice in environmental matters, and public participation in environmental decisions – particularly those pertaining to waste and resource management.

I value working collaboratively towards the best possible outcomes for all concerned. I am honoured to be part of the team providing the Circularity Foundation with secretariat, educational programme development, and other support.

Academic Qualifications
BSc Open (Hons) (Open), Advanced Diploma in Systems Thinking and Environmental Decision Making (Open), HND E-Business (West Notts)

Josh Dowen, Author and website administrator

I help maintain the Circularity Foundation website and provide other communications and technical support. I have a background in computer science, environmental citizenship, climate change modelling, and peer education.

I obtained a BSc (Hons) Information Technology Software from Sheffield Hallam University, which covered software development, project management and computer ethics. Through my work I have gained experience of residual waste management systems, climate change impact modelling of the impacts of materials and waste management options, and public participation in environmental decision-making.

As part of my voluntary work supporting a local wildlife site with a rich history I have gained experience relating to biodiversity, habitat maintenance and improvement, thinking on a landscape scale, and researching and conveying local history.