Bird is back in the business

BIR’s retiring president Tom Bird is returning to ‘the cutting edge’ of the recycling industry after helping to steer the acquisition of UK metal recycling firm Peterborough Metals Recycling, which trades as BW Riddle.

Bird, who stands down from heading the international recycling organisation in May, becomes the executive chairman of the purchasing group, metal traders KJB Consulting.
Chief executive of KJB Consulting, James Bowers, says: ‘Having Tom on board is a brilliant addition to our team. The team at BW Riddle are ultimate professionals – we’re very much looking forward to welcoming them into the KJB Consulting family.”

Bird, who has worked with KJB before, adds: ‘I’m back in the industry at the cutting edge. It’s a sizeable business and we are really looking forward to growing the business.’

KJB’s workforce grows from 15 to 70 with the addition of the employees at Lincolnshire-based BW Riddle and turnover increases from £25m to £90m. It will take over the running of BW Riddle’s head office and 32-acre site in Bourne, Lincolnshire and three metal recycling sites at Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, Boston in Lincolnshire and Corby, Northamptonshire. Lexington Corporate Finance advised on the deal alongside fellow Cardiff-based firm Capital Law. Harwood Private Capital provided financial support and advice.

And in a separate appointment, Bird is joining supervisory board of Polish recyclers Elemental which specialises in processing catalytic converters, e-waste, urban mining and smelting.