Chairman Steve stands aside at award-winning Preston recycling business

The Lancashire man who created a “good” business that was “more than just metal” has stepped down from his high profile role.
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Chairman Steve Jackson, who last year won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year UK title, is to leave Preston-based Recycling Lives, the Essex Street national recycling and waste management business.

After years of rapid growth and development, Steve and chief executive William Fletcher have chosen to step down.

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Mr Jackson is succeeded by executive chairman Andrew Hodgson, who will be responsible for the daily activities of the group.

Recycling Lives Ltd’s new Board (L-R) Andrew Hodgson, Danny Jackson, Gerry Marshall and Chris ChambersRecycling Lives Ltd’s new Board (L-R) Andrew Hodgson, Danny Jackson, Gerry Marshall and Chris Chambers
Recycling Lives Ltd’s new Board (L-R) Andrew Hodgson, Danny Jackson, Gerry Marshall and Chris Chambers

Andrew has led businesses across the aerospace, manufacturing and energy sectors, including head of finance for manufacturing at Samlesbury’s BAE Systems.

Gerry Marshall, who has a wealth of international and domestic experience leading businesses across multiple industries and markets, has taken on the chief operating officer position.

Preston-born Mr Jackson, who was CEO of Preston North End FC in the early 00s, founded Recycling Lives in 2008 from the family scrap business, Preston Recycling, and was awarded an OBE for services to employment.

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The business its operations to support a charity and social enterprise which support the homeless, rehabilitates offenders and redistributes surplus food to communities.

Steve Jackson being awarded with the Entrepreneur of the Year title in the Growing Business Awards in 2015. Just one of many awards Recycling Lives has won.Steve Jackson being awarded with the Entrepreneur of the Year title in the Growing Business Awards in 2015. Just one of many awards Recycling Lives has won.
Steve Jackson being awarded with the Entrepreneur of the Year title in the Growing Business Awards in 2015. Just one of many awards Recycling Lives has won.

Mr Jackson said: “It has been an honour to grow Recycling Lives from the original family business to the current model of combining business and charity.

“I want to thank the team for their unerring loyalty and hard work to help me to realise my dream of creating a truly ‘good’ business - one which put people first and changed many lives. I look forward to seeing where the business goes next.”

Mr Hodgson said: “It is a real privilege to join Recycling Lives - there are few instances in a career that you can step into a role where you can create both economic and social value. Steve set out with a unique vision, to create a business model that delivers both commercially and charitably, and he has made that a thriving model.

"I will now work to continue to deliver on his dream.”

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Mr Hodgson and Mr Marshall join co-founder Danny Jackson and chief financial officer Chris Chambers on the board.

Recycling Lives doubled in size in 2019, following private equity investment from Three Hills Capital Partners in late 2018.

It operates 19 sites nationally, recycling up to 10,000 scrap cars every month and managing waste for businesses,local authorities and householders.

The charity has also grown in recent years, now rehabilitating up to 300 men and women at a time across 11 prisons, supporting dozens of men in its residential charity and redistributing

one million meals to communities across Lancashire and Cumbria every year

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