Photo courtesy of Sims Ltd.
Sims Ltd., a global metals and electronics recycling firm based in Australia, has appointed Kathy Hirschfeld as nonexecutive director of its board, effective Sept. 1.
Hirschfeld, who carries the Order of Australia (AM) designation in that country, is a chemical engineer with 20 years of experience with BP in oil refining, logistics and exploration in Australia, the United Kingdom and Turkey. She also previously served as a logistics officer in the Australian Army Reserve.
The move follows the retirement of former board member Heather Ridout this March and the additions of Philip Bainbridge and Vicky Binns as board members in the past year. The appointment of Hirschfeld is scheduled to be confirmed by shareholders at the Sims 2023 annual general meeting in November.
“I’m delighted to welcome Kathy to our board as an independent director, as she brings many years of invaluable director and executive experience,” says Geoff Brunsdon, board chair of Sims Ltd., who himself is a nonexecutive director.
“Kathy is highly regarded for her engineering, operational risk management, safety and corporate governance experience. Her experience leading complex projects in many of the same locations as our operations will benefit our business and our shareholders. Kathy’s appointment is aligned with Sims Ltd.’s purpose and strategy, and her experience will complement the board’s existing mix of skills and experience.”
In addition to her stints with BP and the Australian army, Hirschfeld has served on other governance boards in Australia, including Powerlink Queensland, Central Petroleum and a board Spark Infrastructure RE Ltd.
In the energy sector, Sims has been piloting technology under the Sims Resource Renewal brand to convert auto shredder residue (ASR) into synthetic gas, olefins and an inorganic end product.
In addition to Hirschfeld, recently appointed board member Bainbridge has energy sector experience, having also worked for BP and a firm called Oil Search Ltd.
It’s unclear when or if Sims plans to expand its Sims Resource Renewal effort beyond the pilot project underway in Australia. On its website, however, Sims states, “We plan to design and build several resource renewal facilities around the world by 2030.”
Founded in 1917, Sims employs 4,400 employees operating from more than 200 facilities in 15 countries.