co-cre8
Paper cup recycling pioneers return to the UK market to complete unfinished business and reignite the waste market Circular economy expert, co-cre8, has launched a new nationwide paper cup collection and recycling service that’s designed for all participants in the lifecycle, regardless of size or volume. The founders of co-cre8 have a strong pedigree in …
Keshari joined the co-cre8 team in 2022 and is responsible for the daily management of the business finances including financial reporting, purchase ledger, sales ledger and building relationships with customers and suppliers.
Keshari has worked in finance for over 10 years and brings a wealth of knowledge to the co-cre8 team. When Keshari isn’t in the office, she loves to explore the outdoors and spend quality time with her family.
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
‘You will always find your solution through nature, time and patience.’
Wayne joined the co-cre8 team in 2022 and brings more than two decade’s worth of operational and commercial experience in the food service packaging and waste management sectors. With co-cre8’s portfolio of three business divisions, Wayne spreads his unrivalled skillset across multiple activities including for our Honest brand, internal Waste and Recycling Stations and System Design partnership projects. Wayne plays a key role in ensuring co-cre8’s operations are commercially viable, building and maintaining great relationships with suppliers, ensuring the smooth success of projects and keeping a smile on everyone’s face!
Wayne joined the Army at the age of 16 which equipped him with the discipline, respect and determination he lives by today. He quotes his first memory of a sergeant announcing “don’t worry he will be in good hands” to his parents at the gates, and “as soon as they left, all hell broke loose!”
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
‘Never assume, and always leave a deal with all parties satisfied’
We welcomed Hannah to the team in January 2022 to grow and develop our Built Environment business division. Hannah brings a wealth of skills to the team including her fantastic communication and eye for detail.
An avid nature-lover, she took a career break at the start of the pandemic and used her free time to volunteer in local clean-up initiatives and pursued personal-interest studies in Philosophy, Animal Psychology and Art. Now she is back in the corporate world and focused on contributing to sustainable business improvements; improving the efficiency and effectiveness of internal recycling systems with innovative, high quality, British products and encouraging a shift in consumer thinking from a linear model to circular.
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
“To slow down and chill out! We all have so many responsibilities in life and a new source of stress or pressure can reveal itself at any time. Finding balance between the calm and the chaos is crucial.”
Katie joined the team in December 2021, and plays a key role in supporting the Sales and Marketing Manager with all sales and marketing activity across the co-cre8 and Honest brands. Katie’s main responsibilities include pro-actively developing and reactively managing business-to-business sales opportunities, processing orders, general customer service and supporting with the creation and delivery of marketing campaigns.
Katie loves to be sociable in her spare time and hopes to explore more interesting countries and cultures in the coming years.
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
“To not stress the things you have no control over, what is for you won’t pass you.”
Prior to co-founding co-cre8 in 2019, Peter spent 10 years as a UK Director of Closed Loop Environmental Solutions. With a passion for recycling and, as one of the UK’s leading exponents of promoting more circular solutions, Peter created and delivered many pioneering industry projects, most notably the Simply Cups scheme.
As such, his practical expertise in steering and co-ordinating collaborative projects in complex multi-stakeholder environments has played a key role in the success of co-cre8. Peter is responsible for the day to day management of the business and is known as our creatively thinking ‘ideas’ man (!)
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
“Whilst the commonest piece of advice I am given is to stop talking so much, the best piece was to simply be yourself”
James has over 20 years’ experience in the waste and recycling industry. Starting with just one second hand truck, he founded and developed Simply Waste Solutions into a thriving, profitable business with a £35m turnover. In 2020, James decided that he was ready for new challenges and took Simply Waste to a successful exit, selling to Biffa plc for £40m.
James co-founded co-cre8 in 2019 with a vision to continually innovate solutions that ensure a more circular approach to resource management. He not only brings a wealth of expertise in operations and logistics, but also strong leadership to the co-cre8 team. James is responsible for establishing overall group strategy and steering the future direction of the business.
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
“My Dad used to say ‘keep your eyes open and your mouth shut’ – old school advice but very valuable!”
Natalie joins the co-cre8 team with extensive knowledge and experience in waste, recycling, and circular business models, with her speciality in Finance. For the last 17 years, Natalie has worked, and was a shareholder, in a start-up, high growth to exit waste and recycling business, with 15 years spent at board level.
Natalie brings with her key skills in finance and people development in high energy businesses with a purpose. Her insights will help co-cre8 scale up to serve the burgeoning demands on business in the circular economy, and she looks forward to building and developing a high performing team with an emphasis on profitability, accuracy and high-quality reporting.
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
“I think it would have to be ‘If you fail, get up and try again”
Georgia joined the team at co-cre8 in 2020 and is responsible for developing the business through creative thinking and effective communication via sales and marketing channels.
Georgia has a background in hospitality and previously worked with James at Simply Waste Solutions, gaining experience and knowledge of the exciting and ever-changing waste and recycling industry.
After taking a two-year career break, to travel around Southeast Asia and Australia in 2018, Georgia is now focused on building co-cre8’s position ‘centre stage’ as a leader in sustainable practice and circular design.
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
“I live by the rule that everything in life happens for a reason, even if you are unsure of it at the time. But best advice – if you want it, go get it.”
Rachel originally joined the co-cre8 team in 2019 as Customer Service Specialist for Simply Cups. Her role has since evolved, following the launch of the Built Environment range, where she now heads up all logistics including supplier liaising, order processing and general operations of the business.
Rachel has a rich teaching background. She taught secondary PE in England for 7 years and moved to France in 2011 to teach English in Business for a further 7 years. While in France, she also co-owned an antique refurbishment business with her sister, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?”
“When I was at university, our lecturers hammered into us ‘Failure to prepare is preparation for failure’, it’s so true and I now live by this!”
