Lewis Saunders

Waste management and circular economy professional with 13 years' experience in the waste and environmental industry, spanning account management, project management, and sustainability strategy. Strong working knowledge of UK waste legislation, Environmental Management Systems (including ISO14001), and circular economy principles, gained through hands-on delivery of audits, large-scale clearance projects, contractor management, and client-facing strategy work. CIWM member and IEMA Practitioner, holding a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (Distinction) and a recipient of a 35-Under-35 Sustainability Award (2026).

Chairs an internal ESG committee, horizon-scanning legislative and industry change across the business. Seeking to bring this operational and strategic experience to a circular economy and waste leadership role within a complex, values-driven organisation.

Resource and Sustainability Manager at Mitie Waste & Environmental (Present)

Progressed through a series of roles of increasing responsibility, from client-facing service delivery through to people management, account management, and project/sustainability management.

• Lead end-to-end projects helping clients reuse surplus assets rather than dispose of them. Found reuse routes for 8,400 assets, including furniture, catering, gym and lab equipment, avoiding over 373 tonnes of embodied carbon.
• Built social value networks that connect surplus assets with charities, schools and social enterprises, with over £100k of furniture and IT equipment donated since April 2023.
• Scope and cost large-scale estate clearance projects at proposal stage, taking responsibility for delivery on time and within budget throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage subcontractors to achieve project targets and report outcomes to key stakeholders.
• Conduct waste and sustainability audits and translate findings into actionable client strategies.
• Write proposals aligning client waste strategies with legislative requirements, including Simpler Recycling, DRS, ETS, and Digital Waste Tracking, and support alignment with Environmental Management Systems such as ISO14001.
• Chair Mitie's internal ESG committee, bringing colleagues together to horizon scan legislative change, compliance risk, industry innovation, and VCSE engagement.
• Promote volunteering across the business unit, encouraging colleagues to use their volunteer hours towards a shared target of 1,600 hours and Mitie Plan Thrive goals.

Account Manager at Mitie Waste & Environmental

• Managed client accounts, driving cost savings and service improvements.
• Presented financial forecasts on spend and income, managed debt issues, and met targets set by leadership.

Team Leader / Senior Client Executive at Mitie Waste & Environmental

• Managed and developed a team, building people-management skills including motivation and performance management.

Customer Executive at Mitie Waste & Environmental

• Serviced large national accounts, managing conflicting demands and SLAs, and building client rapport.

Customer Service Assistant Underwriter at Allianz (2012-10 – 2013-05)

• Managed business retention through direct client correspondence, working to customer-focused targets.
• Operated with increasing independent authority, building confidence in problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.

Administrator / Underwriting Assistant at American International Group (AIG) (2011-10 – 2012-09)

• Supported general office administration and cross-team workload management.
• Assisted in managing an £800,000 Excess Casualty scheme alongside a Casualty Underwriter, building commercial and client-relationship acumen.

Level 4 Apprenticeship in Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability - Distinction

CIWM member and IEMA Practitioner

Recipient of a 35-Under-35 Sustainability Award (2026)