Cartmell has been with CSG for 19 years, most recently serving as treatment director. She takes over leadership of the privately owned group as it targets continued growth and a stronger focus on sustainability and consistency across its UK operations.
Speaking on her appointment, Cartmell said: “I never saw myself working in waste when I did my environmental chemistry degree – and I certainly didn’t imagine myself as a managing director. But I quickly found I loved the industry. It’s innovative, exciting and really fulfilling.”
CSG, which has 30 sites across the UK and over 650 employees, recorded turnover of £120 million and profits of £13 million in its most recent financial year. The company offers services including domestic waste haulage, industrial cleaning, waste treatment and recovery, consultancy and wastewater engineering.
Cartmell began her career at CSG as a senior chemist before becoming site manager at the Cadishead facility. She was promoted to the board as treatment director in 2019 and has since worked closely with Richards on the business’s development strategy.
Richards joined CSG in 2002 as operations manager at Cadishead. At that time, the site was experiencing operational and regulatory difficulties, with a possible sale or closure under consideration. Richards developed a turnaround plan that saw staff numbers initially reduced from 77 to 12 and operations refocused on higher-value waste streams.
Under his leadership, the Cadishead site returned to profit within two years and became the foundation for the group’s wider treatment business. Richards was appointed to the board in 2008 and became managing director in 2012. He oversaw 15 acquisitions and a substantial increase in group profitability and scale.
Reflecting on the handover, Richards said: “This is the right time to step aside from the managing director’s role, both for me and the business. Jen will be in charge of the business, and I have full confidence in her to lead CSG to even greater success.”
Cartmell said her immediate priorities include enhancing consistency across all sites, improving internal communication and continuing investment in sustainable solutions.
“There are challenges ahead, including reducing reliance on landfill and making real progress towards net zero,” she said. “We’ve always responded to industry pressures, and that won’t change. But delays in permitting are a real issue – they don’t support a dynamic, fast-moving sector.”
The business remains family-owned, with shareholders Heather and Hilary Hart, daughters of founder Bunny Hart, still actively involved. Heather’s daughter Janet is also a non-executive director.
Cartmell added: “Being family-owned gives us agility. We can make big decisions quickly. We value the family, and the family values us.”
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