Senior management

Appointment: September 2018

Michael is CEO of leading UK sustainable waste management company, Biffa. Having joined in 2010, he was appointed CFO in 2013, and subsequently CEO in 2018.

During his tenure, Michael has focused Biffa on delivering the UK circular economy: developing the most efficient, low-carbon commercial waste collection platform in the UK, building a market leading position in closed-loop plastic recycling, investing in vital energy from waste infrastructure and becoming the leader in the redistribution of surplus produce through its acquisition of Company Shop Group.

Having listed in 2016, Biffa entered the FTSE 250, reflecting the success of Biffa’s strategy. In 2023 Biffa was acquired by leading environmental infrastructure investor Energy Capital Partners.

Michael is a Chartered Accountant, a NED at Galliford Try Holdings plc and Chair of the waste industry’s trade body, the Environmental Services Association (ESA).

Appointment: April 2022              

Maxine leads Biffa’s Collections and Specialist Services divisions. Using her significant experience, Maxine is focused on growing both businesses in line with their strategy.

Prior to joining Biffa in April 2022, Maxine was previously the managing director Natural Resources at Costain Group plc, where she was responsible for the water, energy and defence sectors as well as Costain’s consultancy proposition. Her experience also involves senior roles at companies including Karbon Homes, Northumbrian Water Group and United Utilities. Maxine is the senior independent director at Low Carbon Contracts Company and Electricity Settlements Company and has been a council member at Cranfield University.

Appointment: September 2010              

Mick was appointed Chief Operating Officer, Resources & Energy with effect from April 2019, having previously held the role of Managing Director of the RR&T Division from September 2010. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Resources & Energy Division and the development of new facilities, including the EfW plants. In addition, he has oversight of the Group’s Environmental strategy as well as being a trustee of the charity Biffa Award.

Allison joined Biffa in 2024 having worked as Group People Director at B&M European Value Retail S.A. which is part of the FTSE 100. Prior to this, Allison worked for BrewDog PLC holding a number of roles from Global People Director to CEO of BrewDog USA. At Biffa, Allison is responsible for our people strategy and her responsibilities include wellbeing, employee relations, talent and succession, learning and development, employee engagement, diversity & inclusion and rewards & benefits.

Allison is also a non-executive director and Remco Chair of Achieve together, one of the UK’s leading providers of support for people with learning disabilities and associated complex needs, and is a member of the Ethics Committee for Chester Zoo.

Appointment: July 2011                                

David was appointed Chief Information Officer in April 2020, having previously held the role of Group IT Director from July 2011. David has worked in the waste industry for 15 years. In his role David is responsible for IT services, IT strategy, the development of management information, project governance, and leading Project Fusion, the current initiative to improve the Group’s systems and processes, and Group innovation.

Appointment: June 2019                          

Sarah joined Biffa in June 2019 as General Counsel and was appointed Company Secretary on 11 July 2019. She is responsible for managing legal risk and in supporting the Chairman and the Board in maintaining high standards of corporate governance. She joined Biffa from Rotork plc, where she was Senior Legal Counsel and Company Secretary. Prior to that, Sarah spent a number of years in Australia as a senior in house counsel at ANZ Bank. She began her career in London at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner where she spent more than a decade as a corporate M&A lawyer. Sarah is qualified as a solicitor in England and Australia.