Barbara Leach

Barbara Leach is an experienced Programme Manager for the Local Net Zero Accelerator at West Midlands Combined Authority, with a tenure beginning in July 2024. Active in the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management since 2005, Barbara has served as Centre Councillor and Chair for the Midlands Region. Prior roles include Lead on Fees and Payments Calculator and Principal Social Researcher at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from July 2021 to July 2024, and Technical Director at Magenta Research & Evaluation. Additionally, Barbara held important positions at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and WRAP, focusing on research and evaluation in waste management. Academic qualifications include a PhD in Waste Management Policy from the University of Birmingham and dual BA (Hons) degrees in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Warwick.