BMRA is delighted to announce that Noreen Pratt of Southwark Metals is the recipient of a Service to British Metals Recycling award. 

Noreen started Southwark Metals in the early 1980s. Starting in her garden shed in South London, she had no prior knowledge of scrap metal.

Alongside raising six children with her husband Thomas Pratt, she worked six days a week from 6am-7pm.

Noreen’s children and grandchildren still continue to run the business along with loyal employees who joined Noreen on her journey. Noreen still continues to be a huge support to the company with her knowledge and wisdom, teaching her daughters and granddaughters that you can have it all, family and a good career.

BMRA President, Susie Burrage OBE, who presented the award to Noreen said: "Delighted to meet Noreen Pratt today, a female pioneer of the U.K. metal recycling industry with a penchant for cable stripping, and for her to be the first female recipient of the British Metals Recycling Association's Service to British Metals Recycling Award. A very worthy recipient."

"Her company, Southwark Metals, is now in the capable hands of her daughter, Nicola, and son, Tom, plus several of Noreen’s grandchildren. It was lovely to meet you all."