COMPANY PROFILE - BY SANDRA DICK
Sisters are doing just fine for themselves
AT one point Maxine Br own (RIGHT) almost talked herself out of going to the one interview which would change her life forever.
She had what for many people sounds like a dream job - working for the drinks giant behind some of the nation’s best known beers. But keen for a change of direction, she ended up prepping for a gruelling second interview with a recycling fi rm, acutely aware she didn’t really have much of a clue as to what she was doing.
“I was close to not going. I was so far out of my comfort zone,” she said. “They were looking for someone to buy in all the raw materials. I’d never had any buying experience – I worked in marketing and sales for a brewery. Then they wanted a second interview with a short presentation on virgin plastic versus recycled plastic, in front of a director. It was crazy.”
She went, nailed the presentation, got the job, and never looked back.
Now the boss of her own Yorkshire-based recycling business with a projected £1m turnover in its fi rst year and connections the length and breadth of the country, the 39-year-old recently stood in front of a crowd of fellow business leaders to accept the Entrepreneur of the Year category at the English Women’s Awards 2018.
Now her plans are to grow from her current 6,500 square feet premises, and to expand from taking in plastics for shredding and granulation, to recycling paper and cardboard.
It’s a signifi cant achievement for a woman who entered the male-dominated recycling and waste management industry as a complete novice, with no family background within the sector, and nothing more than a passing interest in environmental issues.
Male dominated industry
After all, they say it’s a man’s world. And when it comes to the waste industry, they’re probably right.
“It is a male dominated industry, so trying to get in with companies and just to talk to them about what we do has been challenging,” admited Maxine. “You need to be resilient.
“It’s about trying to organise face to face meetings and breaking down any barriers – it’s easy for people to put the
phone down and not respond.”
Despite repeated calls for the sector to shed its ‘boys only’ image and become more gender balanced, the waste industry has a reputation of being led by men with women kept fi rmly behind the scenes, holding the phones, chasing accounts, and often making the tea.
But there’s a growing sense women are starting to muscle in, bringing a fresh perspective to the industry and challenging men with innovative ideas.
To name a few, there’s Jacqueline O’Donovan, managing director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal, who has scooped a stack of awards for her managerial skills - while mum and daughter team Tricia Murray and Francesca Murray-Smith are the combined force behind Bucks Recycling in Westcott, Aylesbury.
Estelle Brachlianoff , who joined the business six years ago, has consistently called for greater diversity across the sector
In Hartlepool, J & B Recycling managing director Vikki Jackson- Smith (LEFT) has marked the 20th anniversary of the business with a series of investments totalling £1.3m.
While in Manchester, CSG regional waste treatment manager Jen Cartmell has helped the business scoop a series of regional awards and has overseen a raft of regulatory changes, while Fresh Start Waste Services has Nicola McGarth as the CEO.
And, of course, there’s Veolia’s senior executive vice president is Estelle Brachlianoff , who joined the business six years ago and has consistently called for greater diversity across the sector.
As Maxine – and a growing number of women executives - 12 SHM May, 2018
www.skiphiremagazine.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
