Sue Howell, Charlotte Robinson and Stephanie Humphries were the prize winners at metals recycling’s biggest night of the year.
Over 500 people braved Storm Claudia to attend the dinner at the Royal Lancaster in London.
The event was preceded by the networking event, which saw service members and partners exhibit.
The night kicked off with Susie Burrage OBE opening the dinner, reminding members of the recently published BMRA commissioned Sheffield Hallam University report assessing the impact of potential restrictions on UK recycled metal exports.
Susie talked about how its findings were subsequently quoted by Lord Andrew Sharpe OBE during the recent House of Lords Steel Industry Act debate. He told the House that “even modest constraints on exports would cause billions of pounds in lost economic value and tens of thousands of jobs to disappear.” He also added, “The environmental consequences would be equally perverse. Restricting exports would not increase the recycling of metal in Britain; it would reduce it, by undermining the viability of recyclers who depend on global competition to sustain fair prices.” He concluded by saying “Without access to international markets, the recycling industry cannot survive, let alone flourish and invest in the emerging technology that will make British steel greener and which, of course, is so necessary to the new electric arc furnaces.”
She also spoke about the new Landfill Guidance for Shredder Operators and Fire Prevention Plan guidance, both BMRA published information.
Susie also gave the exciting news that to recognise and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the joining of the British Secondary Metals Association and British Metals Federation to form the BMRA back in 2001, next year our Golf Day and Summer Dinner will take place at Gleneagles on 25 June.
In what resulted in a hat-trick of awards for women in the industry, Stephanie Humphries won the Photography Competition sponsored by Recycled Products.
Charlotte Robinson of Cronimet was named the YBMR Rising Star for 2025. The award, which was presented for the first time in 2024, celebrates a BMRA member employee who is aged 40 or under.
Selected by the BMRA Board, the winner has demonstrated exceptional talent within the sector, providing significant contributions to their organisation and inspiring colleagues around them.
YBMR co-chair Hayley Mellor joined Susie on stage to present the award to Charlotte.
Sue Howell of Wye Valley Metals was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, the first time a woman has received it.
From humble beginnings, Sue started out with a skip lorry and a few skips on her own, then spent four decades (alongside her brother, Andrew) building Wye Valley Group into a major force in UK recycling. It now has a turnover of more than £50 million per annum.
Sue had also previously sat on the BMRA board from 2017 to 2022 and held the role of treasurer. Unfortunately, Sue was unable to attend the dinner and will be presented with her award at a later date.
Huge thanks again to all of our sponsors and donators of raffle prizes. Before the silent auction total has been added, nearly £7,000 has been raised for the BMRA ’s charity, the Stroke Association, so far in 2025. Thanks to all who have given money to this worthwhile charity.
