A controversial figure within Westminster, Lord Birt had been part of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit since 1999. Previously, he had been the high-profile director-general of the BBC from 1992.
”We are excited at the prospect of Lord Birt bringing his strategic business experience to our company. “
– Jim Meredith, WRG
Lord Birt, 61, has had his appointment with Waste Recycling Group approved under rules for departing Whitehall officials, but will be forbidden from lobbying the government for a year after leaving Number 10.
Commenting on the appointment, WRG chief executive Jim Meredith commented: “We are excited at the prospect of Lord Birt bringing his strategic business experience to our company. WRG has in place a very significant development programme and his role will be to ensure that the programme delivers the benefits that are expected of it over the next few years.”
Lord Birt's experience also includes roles as chairman of Lynx Capital Ventures, an adviser to McKinsey’s Global Media Practice and non-executive director of PayPal (Europe) Ltd, part of the eBay online auctions company.
WRG
Joining Waste Recycling Group, Lord Birt will find himself at a company now managing more than 15 million tonnes of household, commercial and industrial waste each year. WRG has one of the largest landfill businesses in the country, and has made recent moves to strengthen its activities in the energy recovery field with projects moving ahead in Kent, Kingston-upon-Hull and Norfolk.
The company also manages nearly 70 civic amenity sites on behalf of local authorities.
Speaking about his new role, Lord Birt said: “I am honoured to take the Chair of Waste Recycling Group – a pioneering company at the leading edge of managing waste in the most environmentally effective way.”
Angle
Lord Birt succeeds Martin Angle as chairman. Mr Angle had been WRG chairman since private equity group Terra Firma acquired the company for 315 million in 2003 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Mr Angle said that having reshaped WRG following its acquisition, he was keen to move on to a “number of directorships”.
He said: “When Terra Firma acquired WRG I agreed with Guy Hands to take the Company through a phase of major reorganisation and development. Now that this has been achieved, and the Company is stronger and more able to cope with growth and change, I am keen to move on and broaden my interests across a number of directorships.”
Mr Meredith added: “The WRG Board is very grateful to Martin for his hard work over the past two-and-a-half years, and which played a large part in putting WRG in today’s very strong market position. His expertise and energy was fundamental to the successful turning around of WRG following the company’s acquisition by Terra Firma.”
Total revenues for WRG for the six month period ended 30 June 2005 were 263.0 million, with landfill operations accounting for 116.1 million, energy-from-waste operations revenues of 29.6 million and ancillary businesses including civic amenity site management, composting and recycling, waste treatment and quarrying accounting for 21.9 million.
Earnings before tax was 73.3 million for the same period. Operating profit was 13.1 million and net cash inflow from operating activities was 47.5 million (see letsrecycle.com story).
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