United Resource Operators Consortium (UROC) is delighted to announce its appointment of a new Non-Executive Board of Directors with representation from SME and Independent waste and resource operators across the nations. UROC was established in 2012 as the trade body which informs, represents, and supports all independent operators within the waste and recycling sector. UROC is recognised by Government and regulators across the UK as the trade association representing SME and Independent waste and resource operators.
The Board brings together a breadth of knowledge and vast experience from waste management and recycling businesses from all over the country: John Stephens (Grundon), Jacqueline O’Donovan (O’Donovan Waste Disposal), Craig Adkins (AB Waste Disposal), Philip Liddell (Ace Liftaway), Anna Cawley (Cawleys), Richard Clews (Clews Recycling), David Wolfenden (GBN), Michael Hughes (Gowing & Pursey), Andrew Liddell (Westridge), Scott Smith (A & M Smith), Paul Innes (Scotwaste) and Matthew Roderick (Browns Waste Services).
This follows the appointment of three Chairs for England Paul Needham (Enva – England), Robin Stevenson (Hamilton Waste – Scotland) and David Williams (Potter Group – Wales).
UROC founder and CEO Jenny Watts said, “We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Board who join us as this very challenging, but nonetheless exciting time, as the sector moves forward with new opportunities presented in the post Brexit era.”
“The Board will be working on a range of issues affecting the sector to include; tackling waste crime, waste carriers reform, driving innovation and best practice, improving skills and attracting new talent into the waste industry as well as launching the much anticipated ‘WasteSafe’ scheme which is an accreditation scheme designed specifically for waste and resource operators and is hoped will become the recognised standard for the industry.”
There is clearly a determination and air of excitement from the Board as they prepare for their inaugural meeting later this month.
Comments from Board Members:
Jacqueline O’Donovan from O’Donovan Waste Management in London said, “I am passionate about representing the SME sector who don’t always have the time or resources to participate directly in legislation and policy development. Having a commonsense approach and being dedicated to driving positive change and finding solutions to ongoing and unresolved matters and challenges feature very much front and centre of my goals for assisting the industry.”
Craig Adkins from Nottinghamshire said, “As a family owned and operated business, I am very much looking forward to helping improve standards in our sector with a ‘boots on the ground’ approach.”
Philip Liddell from Hampshire said, “I am looking forward to joining the UROC Board as it is essential that companies within the industry share their knowledge, problems and aims for the future. We need to stand united in ensuring that we lobby politicians and regulators in deploying common sense to ensure our industry is sustainable.”
Andrew Liddell from the Isle of Wight said, “Having spent many years talking ‘rubbish’ with fellow operators it is still very apparent that frustrations in relation to inconsistency of regulation and interpretation of regulations prevails. I very much hope to help UROC to continue in its excellent work and eliminate difficult issues faced by the sector.”
UROC Membership Director, Mark Hyde said, “We are absolutely delighted with the Board line up and their passion for helping the industry to prosper. The formation of the Board comes at a crucial time for the sector as we continue to deal with the challenges around Covid and the environmental crisis.”
It is essential that we have a strong sector with the right skills and expertise to deliver effective waste management solutions. This should be underpinned with good training and as we launch the ‘Vision21’ programme targeted at getting the right funding and support for skills in waste and resources, the Board can really bring great ideas and innovation to the table.”
