Dennis takes on lead role as Hazell leaves ESA

The news of the change at the waste, recycling and recovery trade body, comes as Barry Dennis, deputy chief executive of the ESA, is named as its director-general. The organisation represents over 200 members from both the public and private sector. Mr Dennis has had wide experience of the waste sector and will become president of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management later this year.

Mr Hazell, who joined the organisation in 1999, was made redundant from the ESA on March 26 2010. In the short-term he is understood to be pursuing his political ambitions as Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the Chelsea and Fulham constituency.

During his time with the ESA, Mr Hazell was involved in helping to align the goals of the trade association with those of its members across issues such as the environment, social sustainability and the economy.

Commenting on his role, Mr Hazell said: “When I joined, one stated objective was to have doubled sectoral turnover over the decade. That has been broadly achieved. In the coming decade, Europe will generate further added value for the sector.

“Within the ESA it now falls to others to ensure that good operators become even more incentivised to align economical, environmental and social sustainability.”

Commenting on Mr Hazell's departure, ESA chairman Ian Goodfellow said: “The ESA is grateful for the personal contribution Dirk has made in his time with the ESA. We have seen dramatic changes in our sector over the last 10 years and we look forward to the opportunities that the next 10 will present.”

Industry

Mr Dennis has worked in the waste management industry since 1964. He joined the Deards group of companies when he left school and progressed to the main board where he was responsible for the subsidiary involved in waste management. He has been involved in all aspects of the industry from operating landfills and incinerators to a large vehicle fleet involved in waste collection for both the public and private sectors.

As well as being involved in the development of legislation controlling the skip hire business now used in the Highways Act, Mr Dennis is a director, trustee and treasurer of the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB).