The metals recycling industry was in fine spirits on Friday as it came together for the BMRA Annual Dinner 2024.

Despite the challenges of the past year, with a promise of more to come in 2025, the 600 attendees certainly didn’t let it dampen the mood, as the exuberant crowd settled into the pinnacle event of the metals recycling calendar.

A busy networking event in the afternoon saw exhibitors and attendees joined by guide dog, Gemma, who attended representing the 2024 BMRA President’s charity, Guide Dogs.

Opening proceedings that evening was BMRA CEO, James Kelly, reflecting on events of the past year, including those likely to impact businesses. He focused on the lobbying work the Association did throughout 2024, reminding members that the BMRA acts on behalf of the entire pyramid of recycled metals suppliers.

He introduced BMRA President, Susie Burrage OBE, who celebrated the work of the industry and the BMRA, including its relationships built not just in the UK, but in Europe and internationally. She introduced the soon to be launched An Agenda for Change, the BMRA’s manifesto of asks of the

Government to encourage changes to make it easier for members to do business.

She also announced the news that the EA will initiate a permit review of all metals recycling facilities, focusing on abatement, and that the Secretariat was there to support members.

Susie also offered moving tributes to former board member and fire committee chair, John Norton of S Norton, and former Director General, David Hulse, who both passed away in 2024.

Welcomed next to the stage were YBMR co-chairs, Hayley Mellor and Mitchell Garner, who spoke about the work of YBMR and announced that in the coming months a YBMR Conference would be held open to the entire BMRA membership.

Three awards were presented on the night.

The popular Photography Competition 2024, sponsored by Recycled Products, was won by Toby Potter of Ward.

The inaugural Rising Star award, presented to an employee of a membership company aged 40 or under who has demonstrated exceptional talent within the sector, provided significant contributions to their organisation and inspired colleagues around them. The recipient for 2024 was Dylan Pratt of Southwark Metals.

The ultimate award of the night is the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognises

outstanding contributions to the metals recycling industry. The recipients are nominated by fellow recyclers and show the wealth of talent, expertise and experience across the metals recycling industry. Recipients are selected by the BMRA Board. BMRA board member, Nigel O’Gorman of FJ Church, gave a glowing testimonial of the recipient, Ron Hull of Ron Hull Group, who received the accolade.

Following a raffle introduced by BMRA Vice-President, Shane Mellor, attendees were treated to an act fresh from Britain’s Got Talent, who have wow’d audiences across the world, illusionists Jay and Joss.

BMRA would like to thank its members and their guests who attended the event, along with those that sponsored the event and donated prizes to the raffle.  

Look out in the New Year for details about the next BMRA event, the Golf Day at Celtic Manor on Friday 4 July.