J&B News & Updates

24.09.24

We are delighted to celebrate Ashleigh’s 20th anniversary at J&B Recycling.

Ashleigh’s journey with us began in 2004 when, at just 16, she started as a Junior Weighbridge Operator. In those early days, her duties involved recording inbound/outbound material weights, photocopying, and making tea. Fast forward two decades, and Ashleigh now serves as our Operations Manager, overseeing our sites in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, and Washington. Throughout this time, she has been pivotal in driving operational improvements and shaping the business into what it is today.

When Ashleigh first started her journey, J&B Recycling was a small operation with around 20 employees working at a single site, manually processing about 7,000 tonnes of materials annually. After proving her abilities as a Weighbridge Operator, she moved into the transport department as a Transport Coordinator, where she managed driver schedules to ensure efficiency. From there, Ashleigh took on her first managerial role as Facilities Manager, overseeing four weighbridges across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, and Washington. She then progressed to Quality and Environmental Manager before being promoted to her current position as Operations Manager in 2017—a role she continues to excel in today.

Her experience across different areas of the business has given her a unique insight into the workings of J&B Recycling, making her an invaluable member of the team. Ashleigh has witnessed our growth from manual processes to the advanced, automated recycling technology we use today. She fondly remembers the arrival of our first collections wagon, a significant milestone in our journey.

Ashleigh’s career has evolved alongside the company and the industry. Supported by our Managing Director, Vikki Jackson-Smith, and Operations Director, Matthew Tyrie, who both bring a wealth of experience to the company, she has expanded her knowledge and skill set, even earning a postgraduate qualification in business management. This has allowed her to contribute to new projects as the company continues to grow.

Reflecting on her two decades with J&B Recycling, Ashleigh shared: “When I first started, I never imagined I’d be here 20 years later in a leadership role, watching both the company and the industry transform so dramatically. From those early days on the weighbridge to managing operations across multiple sites, it’s been an incredible journey. I’m proud to have grown alongside J&B and to have worked with so many talented people. What excites me most is how far we’ve come in innovation and sustainability - and knowing there’s so much more ahead.”

Today, J&B Recycling employs nearly 200 people and processes over 200,000 tonnes of materials annually across four facilities in the Northeast of England. We are proud to be a leader in waste management, and Ashleigh remains a key figure in our continued success.