British Recycling Group Appoints New President

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has elected Michael Oppenheimer, currently deputy president, its new president. Oppenheimer is managing director of Brookside Metal, as well as senior vice president of the non-ferrous division of the Bureau of International Recycling.

Director General of the BMRA, Ian Hetherington (r) welcomes Michael Oppenheimer as the new BMRA President (l)

In accepting the new position, Oppenheimer pledged to continue the work of his predecessor in promoting the metals recycling industry as he picks up the role from outgoing president Michael Wright.

“I’m delighted and proud to be following in the footsteps of Michael Wright who has steered the BMRA through the difficult economic times we have faced in the last two years. He leaves the BMRA in a stronger position than when he became president in 2008,” says Oppenheimer

“I want to continue Michael’s good work in promoting the £5 billion UK metals recycling industry. Our key messages remain the same: metals recycling is good for the U.K. economy, good for jobs and good for the environment.”

“I’ll be making sure we build on the Agenda for Change policy document the BMRA launched in November and continue to put the case for government support for the industry’s further development. I am confident we have a strong case to make.

“The need to protect the environment and divert waste from landfill will remain national and international priorities. And the BMRA and its members still have a vital role in ensuring those priorities are addressed. In my new role as president I will also work to make sure the right policy and regulatory framework is in place to achieve these objectives.”

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Michael Wright in the last two years and I look forward to working with the new president as we go forward.  Michael has been at the heart of UK’s metals recycling for nearly 40 years and he knows the industry inside out. I’ve no doubt he will work tirelessly to promote the interests of metal recyclers in his new role,” says Ian Hetherington, director general of the BMRA.