Take a look the our Q&A feature that highlights Amy's career journey so far!
MEET AMY BIRD: FROM MODEL TO METALS Discover how a career change led her to leadership in the UK's recycling sector.
THE POWER OF METAL: AMY’S STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS
Inside her journey from weighbridge to CEO in the booming metals recycling industry.
WOMEN IN RECYCLING: A CALL TO ACTION Celebrating the launch of a network
empowering women in the recycling industry.
Charting the Future of UK's Metals Recycling
Amy Bird Amy Bird is a dynamic leader in the metals recycling industry, currently serving as CEO of Connolley Metals Ltd in London and Countrywide Metals Ltd in Birmingham. With a unique background that spans from international modelling to managing operations, trading, and finance in the recycling sector, Amy has carved out an impressive career in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her passion for sustainability and
innovation, combined with her drive to empower women in the industry, has made her a trailblazer in both business and environmental initiatives. In this exclusive Q&A, Amy shares her career journey, insights, and advice for the next generation of industry leaders. Q&A with Amy Who is your employer? I co own two companies, Connolley Metals Ltd in London and Countrywide Metals Ltd in Birmingham. What is your job title? CEO What are your current job responsibilities? I oversee all departments with a particular knowledge in Trading, Operations and Finance.
What were your interests at a young age, and how did they guide you to your current position? What inspired you to join the industry? I was a keen horse rider and then later on had a lucky break and found myself with a modelling career which took me around the world, during that time my Dad wanted me to keep my feet on the ground and so in between assignments I would always go into the yard and work on the weighbridge.
To be honest after the novelty of modelling wore off I craved the interaction with all the different characters within the metal recycling world and I got a real buzz out of learning how the global markets moved and how you could take a pile of material that was essentially being thrown away and turn it into real money. I would listen to my Dad and Sister hedging currency and talking to the German Aluminium foundries and I wanted to be in on the action. Did you undertake any specific education or training for your career? If so, what did you study, and were there any subjects or courses that significantly influenced your career direction or success? I very much learned on the job because there was nothing formal around back then. Now it is completely different and I would encourage anyone interested in a career in the metals recycling industry to look into the MRGO apprenticeship which allows you to specialise in different areas of the industry and also the environmental side is really interesting and there are lots of courses that will take you in that direction and on top of that there is Finance, HR and more traditional roles. The industry pays well and is crying out for new talent. Were there any role models or individuals in your field who inspired you? If so, how did they impact your career choices? My field was very male dominated back in the day so I would look to my older sister who was a real trail blazer at the time, I would say that self- development became a thing back in the ‘80s and so I was a devout Tony Robbins follower and I use many of his principles to this day. The overriding belief that you can do anything you put your mind to was very strong.
Can you share some details about your first job in the industry? My first job was recording the details of the material going into the furnace that day and how much weight would be lost when melting, the ingots would then be analysed for aluminium content and if this was not correct we would go back to my records to check the accuracy. This in turn helped when I started to buy material myself as I knew the good from the bad. What has been the most challenging aspect of your career so far?
I would say being a woman in a traditionally man’s industry has meant that being taken seriously and appreciated for knowledge rather than how you look used to be challenging but I feel in the last few years the narrative has truly been changed. Which achievement or project are you most proud of, and what impact has it had on your company or the industry? I am incredibly proud to have formed women in recycling to provide a network for women to come together and encourage each other to climb the ladder and have incredible careers in the recycling industry. Our first event saw fifty amazing, hard working women come together and have an incredible evening. The event proved that the industry is changing and women are really finding their voices. There appears to have been an incredible amount of business done between all the attendees post event as well; we are looking forward to the next one. What aspects of your job do you find the most enjoyable and fulfilling? I love the travelling; this job has literally taken me all over the world and I get to meet the most incredible people. We are constantly adding new customers in different countries to our books and we are always learning something new along the way. What advice would you offer young people considering a career in your industry? Knowledge is power, get involved and educate yourself as much as possible about the industry. Where do you see the future of your industry heading, and how can young women and men prepare to be a part of that future? The metals recycling industry will continue to grow rapidly and regardless of what the economy does we have to recycle. It is every single person's duty to recycle and tread lightly on this planet. The more people that take that belief to heart and come into this industry will find themselves in the amazing position of doing a job they actually feel passionate about, earning great money and creating a better future for their children.
What is your company's primary function? We provide a facility for the general public, other merchants and factories to supply metal for recycling and receive a good market rate for doing so. In which sector(s) does it operate? We operate in the manufacturing, automotive, demolition and waste sectors. What are some of the key roles within your team? Machine operatives, weighbridge administrator, traders, finance and transport managers. What can you tell us about apprenticeships in your field? Have you had any direct involvement with apprentices? The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) is a great place to go for details on the MRGO (Materials Recycling General Operative) apprenticeship, I sat in on several of the meetings when the syllabus was being designed and it provides great opportunities for young people looking for a route into the industry. Based on your experience, what types of apprenticeships would you recommend? As above.
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