John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, is the new Chair of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), taking over from Michael Topham, who steps down at the end of a two-year term. 

The appointment was recorded at the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday 28th November ahead of the ESA Annual Lunch in Mayfair, London. 

Biffa CEO, Michael Topham, became ESA Chair in December 2023 and led the association through an eventful two years for the sector. In particular, Michael’s tenure saw the industry and the Association engage extensively with DESNZ, Defra and other government departments to inform policy related to the inclusion of waste in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while also navigating a change of Government after the 2024 General Election and implementation of the Collection and Packaging Reforms. 

Michael also oversaw an update to the ESA’s strategy and its four strategic priorities (Sustainable Resource Us; Zero-Carbon; Higher Standards and Effective Regulation) in 2024 as well as the publication of the ESA’s Circular Economy Vision 2040 earlier this year, which sets out the Association’s ambitions for resource productivity to complement the existing net-zero strategy for 2040. 

Executive Director of the ESA, Jacob Hayler, said: “I would like to thank Michael for his leadership and input throughout an important two years for the sector, which has seen the ESA and its members navigate the policy landscape associated with the inclusion of waste in the Emissions Trading Scheme, and the implementation phase of the long-awaited Collection and Packaging Reforms. Under Michael’s leadership, we also published our flagship Circular Economy Vision 2040; have furthered our long-running campaigns to address waste crime and battery fires and renewed our organisational strategy and strategic priorities. 

The ESA team and I welcome John to his new additional role as ESA Chair and look forward to working with John and the rest of our board as we continue to deliver against our sectoral net-zero and circular economy targets.” 

Michael Topham, CEO of Biffa, said: “It’s been an honour to serve as ESA Chair during a pivotal time for our industry. The past two years have brought intense political and economic uncertainty, yet our Association has worked hard with government and stakeholders to shape vital policy and drive progress.

Our Circular Economy Vision 2040 and renewed strategic priorities show the sector’s ambition for a zero-carbon, resource-efficient future. But without further certainty on policy, investment will stall – and a more sustainable future for waste management in the UK will remain out of reach. I’m grateful to the ESA team, our members and partners for their commitment throughout my tenure, and I wish John every success as Chair.

John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK and Executive Vice President UK of SUEZ Group, said: “I’m proud to follow in Michael’s footsteps as ESA Chair as the sector enters a period of adaptation and delivery that will see the Government’s trio of recycling reforms coming into effect. Whist this creates opportunities for our sector and for progress towards a thriving UK circular economy, to make the most of these opportunities we must also overcome challenges. Barely a day seems to pass without the impact of fly tipping on our streets and countryside hitting the headlines, whilst on the ground our teams are constantly alert to the ever present threat of fires caused by batteries that have been discarded instead of recycled, and without the right incentives to develop domestic recycling infrastructure, we risk continuing to export our valuable resources.

Overall, I am cautiously optimistic and with the creation of a sector roadmap, the publication of the Government’s circular economy growth plan and preparations for the introduction of ETS in 2028 all in the wings, 2026 is already shaping up to be a productive year. I look forward to helping to lead the sector through this next phase of our transition as we translate policy into practice, and work to establish targets for each of the ESA’s four strategic pillars that will enable us to showcase our progress towards a sector that is effectively maximising resources and successfully decarbonising, whilst continually raising the bar in terms of health and safety standards.”

Pictured: John Scanlon (right) presents outgoing ESA Chair, Michael Topham, with a gift from the Association during the ESA Annual Lunch