Influential Businesswoman Awards 2024, Acquisition International | 33 As it stands, the waste management industry is changing in one way, and that is in moving away from its predominantly male reputation, driven, in part, by a growing awareness to the problem, as Melanie briefly touches on. “The waste industry has long been predominantly male. I think this has changed over the last two years as it has been highlighted within the industry and well documented in various waste publications.” When it comes to the future, Melanie’s plans are as steadfast as they have always been, with clear goals for achieving the next steps of Allwood Recycling’s growth. “We need to drive growth in the engineering arm of the business, alongside organic growth by word-of-mouth recommendations. Alongside that, we will be looking at strategic acquisitions, and lastly, in being the best in what we do.” Company Name: Allwood Recycling Solutions Ltd Contact Name: Melanie Wheeler Address: Allwood Recycling Solutions Ltd, 7 Charles Court, Budbrooke Industrial Estate, Warwick, CV34 5LZ Web Address: https://www.allwoodrecycling.co.uk/ Contact Email: [email protected] Telephone Number:01926470033 Recycling & Waste Management Executive Director of the Year 2024 (UK): Melanie Wheeler Over the last fourteen years, Allwood Recycling Solutions has worked diligently to develop a service that is as efficient as it is effective, with a focus on meeting the ever-changing needs of its customers. Built on a robust cornerstone of “doing the right thing”, and a drive to lead the way on sustainability, the company has grown from strength to strength. That growth has exploded under Melanie’s guidance, starting with her joining the company in 2016. Today, she has spearheaded Allwood Recycling from a still impressive £2 million turnover, to an amount tentimes that. The trick? Understanding customer motivations, partnered with diligence, honesty, and a skill in straight talking. “The biggest thing I always refer to is: “Would you be happy to put your name by that decision if it was on the front page of a tabloid?” I learned that in a previous role, and it has stood by me as a method to make you stop and think: “Is there a different way? Have you considered absolutely everything?” Bringing a different viewpoint to the discussion is especially effective in finding solutions.” Equally, it’s difficult to overlook the importance of Melanie’s previous experience in rounding out her expertise, forged as she was on the legal and financial landscapes. Those skills have transferred incredibly well in leading Allwood Recycling to a position that has outmanoeuvred potential competitors in an environment that is only growing ever more competitive. “I have a history of working within the Fast Moving Commercial Goods (FMCG) sector, and navigating legal and financial regulations. Additionally, I come from a commercial accountant background and have worked for organisations with their budget, business planning, and risk management reporting. I have never worked in the waste and environmental industries prior to Allwood Recycling.” Today, Melanie is the Executive Director looking after all core functions, including the finance, HR, IT, HSEQ, and legal departments. These areas perfectly cater to her strengths and have allowed Melanie to embrace the lessons of the past to benefit the company in ways that may have not been predicted from the outset. There are similarities to all businesses after all - regardless of industry, sector, or field – areas that remain constant, and in need of experienced support. It’s often too easy to dismiss the value of bringing on talent from outside the industry, in favour of another with a history of direct experience. Melanie Wheeler embodies the strength of diversification, with a proven track record of utilising her evergreen skillset to revolutionise the position of Allwood Recycling Solutions (Allwood Recycling) within its sector. We spoke to Melanie to find out more about her incredible talents.
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