Partner Article

Vikki Jackson-Smith on J&B Recycling

J & B Recycling is one of the largest recycling firms in the North-East and manages more than 100,000 tonnes of waste a year for public and private sector clients.

The Hartlepool-based business has grown from a small family-managed business into a reputable, established recycling and waste management company that is recognised nationally. It is led by its Managing Director Vikki Jackson-Smith.

1. What is your career history to date?
When I left schooI, I started working for my dad in the family solid fuel business. That involved learning the business from Weighbridge operator moving onto Transport Manager, Accountant and finally Operations Director. The experience gained from working in the solid fuel company provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to move into the Waste Management sector when the solid fuel industry took a downturn.

2. What is your current job title, and what does your role entail?
I am Managing Director of J & B Recycling and my role is very hands at both operational and commercial level. I believe that to be in a position to make decisions that benefit and support the business growth, you must have a clear understanding of what is happening in the organisation in ‘real time’.

3. What is the big story for your business in 2012?
In the current economic environment, my priority must be to ensure that the business continues to go from strength to strength. However, I am also aware that we cannot stand still so with the recent success of a conditional RGF offer of £1.75m, we will be looking to expand J & B Recycling by increasing the incoming materials processed by a further 50%. That will create new opportunities for current staff and also create opportunity to
expand the workforce through the whole organisation. I am also very keen to increase the commercial collection side of the business.

4. What has been your biggest business challenge to date?
I have experienced a number of challenges: taking the Company from a solid fuel business to a waste management business; the devastating fire at Baltic Street; and the design and construction of the new Material Recycling Facility at Windermere Road. All of the challenges have provided me with new opportunities to grow the business and provided me with new knowledge to strengthen the Company.

5. What do you believe will be the challenge and the biggest opportunity facing your sector in the next 12 months?
The challenges for the waste management sector are the same as many other sectors in these difficult financial times and that is to continue to stay competitive without reducing your quality of material output or customer service.

6. What has been your proudest professional moment to date?
I am lucky that I have had a number of moments that have made me feel proud professionally, starting with successfully diverting the company from a successful solid fuel company into a successful waste management company and taking the existing workforce into the new business. My next proud moment was being nominated for Teesside Entrepreneur of the Year which I was shortlisted down to the final three in 2010. Shortly
afterwards, J & B Recycling won the Hartlepool Environmental Award and was then awarded the overall Hartlepool Business of the Year for 2011. It was good to be recognised - not only did I feel proud but it gave all our employees a great boost.

7. Who or what has inspired you the most in the course of your career?
Very easy question to answer – my dad. He has always believed in me and provided the opportunity to watch and learn from him, encouraging me to stand by my business beliefs and make changes to expand and move the business forward. Still to date, my dad is my mentor.

8. Outside the workplace, what is your main passion?
Family, my husband and children are my main passion. I believe my family keep me grounded and ensure that I learn to switch off from work!

9. If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
It would be less about the actual job but instead more about the challenge. I enjoy looking for new methods or processes to improve quality, quantity and service. My drive is not personal financial reward, it is about been innovative and forward thinking.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .