Name:  Iain Hogg

Job title: Managing Director, Isaac Shaw Ltd. and Ireland Alloys Ltd.

Time spent in metal recycling: Apart from two years spent making ladies shoes, I've been in the business since 1981.

1. What does your job involve?
Mainly the role of a referee. We have good people managing our UK companies, and my role is something of a steering one, nudging things gently back on track whenever we wander.

2. What is the hardest part of your job?
Being in three places all at the same time, sometimes four. Non-metal people often comment that we travel unnecessarily, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting and kicking a bit of scrap. You can’t do that on the phone or over Skype.

3. What three things help you to do your job better?

1. Having staff that are reliable; without them, we are nothing.
2. A bank manager who actually listens.
3. Friends in the trade. We trust each other, which is far more important than a contract.

4. What are you most proud of in your career?
I don’t know whether this is pride, but I take real pleasure in the fact that the job has allowed me to make friends all over the world. We are a gregarious lot in the metal trade.

5. What is the best advice you have ever received?
Never burn a bridge unless that’s the only option available.“Never again” is a very long time.

6. What one thing would we never guess about you?
I used to be a magistrate when I lived in Staffordshire.