As well as celebrating 75th year in the city where the BIR was born, the event will focus on a modern, connected future that puts international recycling at the centre of the circular and global economy. And that future will be led by the BIR's first female President, Susie Burrage OBE of Recycled Products Ltd (GB) who took over the role from the President Tom Bird at the Annual General Assembly on 23rd of May.
Two new positions were introduced
The new President of the BIR comes from an inspiring background. She is the fourth generation of her family to be involved in the recycling industry, having founded Recycled Products in 2001.
Susie Burrage OBE has been the President of the British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA) since 2016 and is an active member of the BIR Council of World Recycling Associations.
She has also been very active in EuRIC in various roles including President of the European Metal Trade and Recycling Branch and one term as EuRIC Treasurer (2016-2019).
She was appointed Chair of the BIR Ambassadors Committee at the BIR's Dubai Congress in October 2022. In addition, Susie is an Ambassador and Board member of the Global Recycling Foundation, Patron of the Middle East Recycling Bureau and a board member of the BIR's Non-Ferrous Metals Division.
Susie represents recyclers internationally, working with lobbyists and policy makers on a range of issues affecting the industry globally, helping them to achieve positive outcomes as raw materials from recycling become available worldwide. She regularly promotes the environmental benefits of recycling in the media and at conferences around the world, emphasising the importance of recycling in achieving net zero targets.
"It is a real honour to accept my Presidency in the birthplace of the BIR and at such a record-breaking convention," says Susie Burrage. "My mission is to build on the incredible platform created by Tom Bird, the BIR Executive Committee and the secretariat under the leadership of Arnaud Brunet. My vision is to increase the volume of environmental impact we create and showcase the BIR and recycling as a sustainably advanced, innovation-rich and economically vital sector."
New treasurer Dhawal Shah of Metco Ventures LLP (IND) also took over from Andy Wahl of TAV Holdings Inc (USA) during the Congress
Dhawal brings exceptional expertise to his new role as BIR Treasurer. Metco Ventures is a long-standing BIR member and one of India's leading trading brokerages. Dhawal has been with the company for over 25 years, during which time he has overseen the expansion of Metco's global footprint. He has always had a deep interest in recycling and over the last few years has dedicated much of his time to the growth and development of the metal recycling industry in India.
Mr Dhawal has been a member of the BIR Executive Committee and Vice President of the organisation since June 2021, with the title of President of the Nonferrous Metals Division. Prior to that, he served on the board of the BIR Nonferrous Metals Division for twelve years, first as a board member representing India and then as Senior Vice President. He is also Senior Vice President of the Materials Recycling Association of India and serves on the Metals Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India's largest trade and policy advocacy organisation.
"I am delighted to accept the position of Treasurer at such an exciting time in the BIR's history," said Mr Dhawal. "The future is ours to have, as we look to represent the widest reaches of our industry from the point of collection to the transformation into useable materials. With my new task, I am intent on ensuring that BIR is financially fit and ready to take up these challenges and retell our story around the world."
Record Numbers
Other key milestones achieved at the Amsterdam Convention include the highest ever attendance (sell-out) with 1500 delegates and the announcement that the number of members has reached a historic high of almost 1000. These two key milestones underpin the growing recognition of the commercial and reputational importance of recycling and the vitality and continued growth of one of the world's most forward-looking sectors.
"What a great opportunity to honour our anniversary, proving an energised, dynamic and innovative sector the BIR represents," says Arnaud Brunet, BIR Director General. "As an organisation and an international collective, we have tackled the tumultuous storms of the past few years together, and our focus at BIR on representation and advocacy has paid dividends, as shown in the milestone numbers we share today.”
Comments
No comment yet.