WasteAid appoints Akira Akazawa as new Director of Programmes

WasteAid is delighted to announce the appointment of Akira Akazawa as our new Director of Programmes. Akira brings with him a wealth of experience across international development, including work within the UN system, NGOs, and in close partnership with communities around the world.

Akira’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for WasteAid as we continue to strengthen our programme delivery and expand the impact of our work. His background aligns strongly with our mission and values, particularly our commitment to practical, community-led approaches that address waste challenges while creating social, environmental, and economic opportunities.

Speaking about his new role, Akira said: “After many years working across international development, joining WasteAid feels like a natural and meaningful step. I’m really looking forward to working with a passionate team, learning from local partners, and contributing my experience to help scale solutions that are grounded, inclusive, and impactful.”

WasteAid CEO Ceris Turner-Bailes added: “Akira’s leadership will be critical to WasteAid’s success as we continue to develop and scale programmes that are locally-driven, inclusive, and sustainable. I’m delighted that he joins the team after a very competitive recruitment process and I am excited to work with him and the rest of the team to scale and grow our programmes. Akira’s passion for our mission and combination of technical approach, programmatic experience and funder management skills made him an outstanding candidate and he will be a real asset to the organisation.

“I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Rachel Beckett, Interim Director of Programmes throughout 2025. Rachel provided resilient leadership during a transitional period. Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to WasteAid’s mission has also supported Akira’s own transition into this pivotal role and we are all deeply grateful for her energy and expertise.”

Getting to know Akira
We asked Akira a few quick-fire questions to get to know him a little better…

Tell us a little about your background and experience
I’ve spent almost 30 years working across international development and the private sector. My career spans NGOs, the UN system and intergovernmental organisations, with a focus on programme strategy and delivery, partnerships, and impact. I’m particularly interested in how circular economy approaches can turn waste challenges into practical opportunities for communities. Most recently, I led programme and impact work at Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, supporting teams and partners to scale community-led solutions.

What drew you to WasteAid?
WasteAid’s clear focus on practical, locally led solutions really resonated with me. The organisation’s ability to combine technical expertise with community ownership and real-world impact is both compelling and inspiring. I’ve seen myself the damage that waste can cause around the world, and the power that circular economy solutions can have in protecting the environment.

How excited are you by work of WasteAid’s programmes team?
Very much! I’ve been impressed by the team’s commitment, creativity and depth of expertise, and I’m excited to learn from them and work together to build on the strong foundations already in place.

Which part of our mission resonates most strongly with you?
WasteAid’s focus on empowering communities to turn waste into opportunity resonates strongly with me – especially the combination of environmental outcomes with circular economy thinking, skills and livelihoods.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a Guinness World Record holder! In 2006, I was one of 979 scuba divers who dived simultaneously at the same site in the Maldives to set a world record.