Our board

Richard joined Esken Renewables in May 2020 as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing with him significant experience from over 20-years in the waste sector. As CEO, for Esken Renewables, Richard provides strong leadership to build on the existing core business and further developing relationships with all stakeholders, with a key focus on developing and implementing the growth strategy.
He started his career with Viridor in 1999 in the Business Development team gaining huge experience in commercially driving and bidding for local authority PFI contracts, acquisitions, and organic growth opportunities culminating in successfully closing the Greater Manchester PFI the largest PFI contract in Europe. In 2010 he moved into his role as South West Regional Director, and in 2013 Richard was parachuted into the North Region and relocated from Somerset as Regional Director.
Over the last three years, Richard has been focused as Managing Director on the Greater Manchester Waste contract, one of the largest waste contracts in Europe responsible for managing over one million tonnes of waste per annum. In 2019 he moved with this contract to Suez before making the move to Esken Renewables.

James is Finance Director of Esken Renewables with responsibility for the delivery of our financial and business strategies, and in addition he also leads the People and Business Improvement teams. James joined Esken Renewables in February 2017, and held the roles of Commercial Finance Manager and Head of Financial Planning and Analytics (FP&A) before becoming Finance Director in January 2022.
James is a qualified Management accountant (CIMA) with over 20 years of finance experience, having started his career in 1999 with Celestica (Canadian Electronics Company), moving to Automotive component supplier Delphi in 2001, before joining aircraft manufacturer Airbus in 2007.
James had a number of roles within Airbus, and latterly was Head of New Product Controlling as the A350 aircraft was launched. In his time at Airbus James worked across a number of European sites as project lead to reduce production costs.
Outside of work, James spends time with his wife and two daughters often playing Dad’s taxi. In his spare time he’s a huge sport fan and loves most sports, and he also likes to cook.

Neil joined Esken Renewables in 2019 and has Board responsibility for service delivery, strategic relationships, and contracts with our renewable fuel customers. He is also responsible for successfully developing and delivering business development opportunities with new and existing customers. Neil started his career as an Environmental Consultant and has since gained considerable commercial experience across waste, recycling, and renewable energy supply chains in both the public and private sectors.
Prior to this role, Neil worked at Viridor leading key commercial projects across contracts, supply chain management, new business, innovation & formulation and delivery of strategic change.
Neil holds an MBA and is an advocate of the clean growth agenda working closely with businesses, universities and NGOs and sits on the Liverpool City Region Clean Growth Board.

Alan joined Esken Renewables in June 2016 and has been instrumental in developing and driving our operations across the UK; He is responsible for the strategically situated processing and storage sites throughout the UK and ensuring that all contractual obligations are being met from the site requirements in the manufacturing of the fuel.
Alan started off his career by serving in HMF for over ten years, to which he firmly believes has helped him to reach this pivotal point in his career, working as the Operations Director. During his time in the British Army, he learned the importance of building and trusting the people and team around you to allow you to succeed in most things you want to do.
He has spent nearly 20 years in the wood industry, dealing with both virgin and waste woods in its various forms. Throughout this industry, he has worked at board mills and wood waste manufacturers using various types of machinery and equipment. The challenges remain similar as they were 20 years ago in trying to make a fuel out of waste wood which most people would think is easy, but without the right, people, machinery, and equipment it is a challenge. During this time, he has been responsible for running mobile and fixed plant installations.