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Dean: Numbers, Negotiations and Never Standing Still

Some people grow with a business. Others help pull it in a new direction entirely. At North West Recycling, Dean is the commercial force that has done both.

“NWR has the potential to be a national player — more tonnage, more contracts, more vehicles. It all builds.”

Q: What does your day actually look like?

No two days look the same, but I like to hit the ground running. By the time I arrive, I’ve already been through the daily reports, checked the previous day’s sales, and made sure all the wagons are planned. The rest of the day is a mix of supporting existing customers, finding new ones, and buying and selling waste and commodities across the UK. I’m someone who likes to stay ahead — I’d rather solve a problem early than walk into it the next day.

Q: Is there a side to your role people might not expect?

Brokerage. Sometimes a deal is done and the material never even touches our site — it goes straight from one party to another. Efficiency at its finest. And compliance runs alongside everything I do. People might not realise how much legislation we work within, or how seriously the business takes staying on the right side of it every single day.

Q: What’s kept you at NWR for over twelve years?

The values of a family business — even as the company has grown significantly. There’s a loyalty here, on both sides, that you don’t find everywhere. People genuinely want the best for NWR each day. I started in finance back in 2013 and have moved into commercial roles over time. The company has trusted me to grow and develop, and I’ve tried to give that back.

Q: What achievement are you most proud of?

Winning the Standout Achievement award at the 2022 NWR Staff Summer BBQ, presented by Rick. I’d worked hard across a lot of different areas, and to have that recognised by the business meant a lot. It felt like a moment where the trust placed in me had been justified.

Q: What’s the culture like day to day?

Loyal people, good people. And there has to be a bit of fun in there too — I do the pranking, at the right times! Work comes first, but a bit of humour lightens the mood. As the team has grown, the communication and teamwork have had to grow with it. Bringing the right people in at every level is what allows the business to keep moving forward.

Q: What does NWR’s 30-year milestone mean to you personally?

I’m genuinely pleased to have played an important part in the direction the business has taken. I was here pre-lockdown when everything snowballed, and seeing the pace of change since then has been remarkable. Six years ago we had one walking floor. Now we have eight. Being here for that growth — and having a hand in making it happen — is something I’m really proud of.

Q: How have you grown since joining?

I’ve grown a commercial head. Once that’s switched on, it doesn’t switch off — every moment of the day I’m thinking about ways to improve things, fix problems, find new opportunities. Problems happen every day, and that’s not a bad thing. That’s how a company grows.

Q: Where do you see NWR heading — and your role in that?

NWR has the potential to be a national player. More tonnage, more processes, more contracts, more vehicles — it all builds. Renewable energy initiatives, more tenders won. I want NWR to be the answer to Cumbria’s waste. That’s the vision I’m working towards every day.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting at NWR?

Listen. Look — really see what’s going on around you. Ask questions. And be thick-skinned!

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