The Solving Plastic Waste CRC (SPW CRC) Board is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition within the Solving Plastic Waste CRC. Dr Ian Dagley, who has served with distinction as Chief Executive Officer for the important bid and establishment phase of the Solving Plastic Waste CRC, will be retiring from his role at the end of June.

Throughout his 23-year tenure in the CRC program, Ian has been nationally recognised for his outstanding leadership and vision, guiding first the CRC for Polymers and now the Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre (SPW CRC) to remarkable achievements in research, innovation, and commercialisation. His dedication has resulted in the licensing of nine technologies and the establishment of successful spin-off companies, leaving a lasting legacy within the scientific community.

Stepping into the role of SPW CRC CEO, we welcome Paul Hodgson, an accomplished executive and innovator with over 25 years’ experience across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Paul brings a wealth of expertise in sustainability, strategic leadership, and organisational transformation, and is widely respected for his collaborative approach and ability to drive positive change. We look forward to his leadership as we continue our journey towards sustainability and innovation.

We thank Ian for his invaluable contributions and commitment to the first two years of SPW CRC, and warmly welcome Paul Hodgson as our new CEO, confident in his ability to build upon our foundation and lead us into an exciting future.

Paul will commence with SPW CRC on 15 June, enabling a handover period with Ian, whose last day will be 30 June.

SPW CRC is organising events in Brisbane and Melbourne where our Partners and Associates can farewell Ian and welcome Paul to the SPW CRC team.

From Dr Ian Dagley

It has been a great privilege to be part of the team of dedicated and outstanding people who have established the Solving Plastic Waste CRC. I sincerely thank all involved: our Chair and Board, our management team, program and project leaders and our growing team of postdoctoral fellows and PhD students who have invested their time and passion in laying the foundations for what I think will be an outstanding CRC.

I wish you all the very best for the next phase of SPW CRC and sincerely thank you for your friendship and for your commitment to the CRC’s vision.

Best wishes to Paul and the rest of the CRC team going forward.

From Paul Hodgson

I am delighted and honoured to be joining the Solving Plastic Waste CRC team as CEO. Being able to contribute to such a visionary and transformative mission with a talented Board, management team and partners is very exciting.

A big thanks and congratulations to Ian for establishing the SPW CRC and leaving it in such a great position. I will be working hard to build on his legacy and continue the momentum towards achieving the CRC’s ambitious goals.

I look forward to meeting you all and working with you soon.