Over 500 BMRA members and guests came together once again at the Royal Lancaster in London on Friday evening (22 November) to toast the past and look ahead to what will prove to be a very interesting year.

During the afternoon, members took the opportunity to meet with colleagues and customers at the networking event (click here for full list of exhibitors), a great opportunity for conversation before the festivities began. 

BMRA President, Susie Burrage, of Recycled Products Ltd, opened proceedings, which also saw the launch of the 100 Years in Metals Recycling celebratory book. She covered the history of the Associations that became the BMRA, founded in 1919, giving a nod to the first President, Sir Ashley S Ward of Thos. W. Ward Ltd. Susie also acknowledged yards in membership who had been established for longer than the Associations.

She discussed some of 2020’s upcoming challenges, acknowledging the companies in membership that had donated to the Metal Shredder Residue project.

There followed a wonderful four course meal in the Nine Kings’ suite.

Former board member, Stan Whittaker, formerly of Morley Waste Traders, received the Lifetime Achievement award. The company was founded in Leeds in 1959 by Stan’s parents and he joined the business at the age of 14. After taking over in 1991 following his father's death, Stan grew the business to 10 sites having taken over the Lord and Midgley company. Stan passed his thanks on to the BMRA secretariat for their support during both his time as a member and as a BMRA board member for 10 years. Morley Waste Traders was sold to Sims Metal Management in 2018.  

An auction, silent auction and raffle on the night helped to raise £10,500 for the President’s Charity, the Global Recycling Foundation. Thank you to FJ Church's Nigel O'Gorman for paying tribute to Stan Whittaker and being auctioneer for the night. 

During the dinner, Susie Burrage presented Emmanuel Katrakis of EuRIC with a cheque for £9,250, donated by BMRA member companies in appreciation for the work he and EuRIC does on behalf of the BMRA at a European level.

Thank you to all of our attendees, and a special mention to our sponsors, who make this event possible:

Danieli Centro Recycling, ELG Haniel, EMR, Envirowales, Flagship Logistics, Global Metals Network, Lefort UK Ltd, Mellor Metals, Metal Interests, Metals Recycling Event, Peter Hoare and QBE, Ranmoor Health and Safety, Recycling Lives, Recycled Products Ltd, S Norton & Co, Sackers Ltd, Sims Metal Management, SWM & Waste Recycling, Wye Valley Metals.

To order a copy of the '100 Years in Metals Recycling' book, download and return the order form from this page.