Brian Perry, chairman of south west business Perrys Recycling, has died at the age of 78.
Hugely popular and well-liked for a friendly and knowledgeable approach to business over many years, his death last week (May 17 2018) has prompted warm tributes from friends and colleagues.
Brian started the business at his parent’s small farm in Brooks Road, Street, Somerset in 1962. With the support of his wife Valerie and brother Ron, who passed away in 2008, he was to develop a paper recycling firm which became a major operator in the West Country and surrounding areas.
He was a tremendous supporter of trade associations and was a founder member of the Independent Waste Paper Processors Association (IWPPA) in 1975 which is now known as the Recycling Association.
Brian stepped away from day-to-day involvement in the business in 2005 when he became chairman, with his son, Chris Perry, becoming managing director.
Markets
Brian Perry, who has died at the age of 78
However, Brian always kept in close contact with the business and was keen to hear of latest market developments, catching up with staff and closely monitoring the expenses. He was happy to see the business expand into other materials and services – including plastics, metals, wood, RDF and Security Shredding – and he kept in touch with friends in the recycling sector.
And he did find time though to relax and spend more time with his family and grandchildren, his horses, alpacas, vintage and classic cars, and walking his dogs through his woods to the lake which he loved.
Family
Brian was especially proud that the business had remained within the family, with his daughter Samantha Jenkins (company secretary & sales director), son Matthew Perry (transport director), nephew Nick Perry (transport director), Nick’s son Adam Perry (plastics department) and Ron Perry’s son in law Richard Lamb (maintenance department). “And all the staff at Perrys Recycling were treated as an extension of the family and this ongoing culture will be his legacy,” said Chris Perry .
In 2015, Brian said: “We have managed to build a successful business and we all still go on family holidays together, which we have been doing for more than 40 years.”
Chris Perry said “He was great father, mentor, boss and character with a mischievous sense of humour and merriment only out shone by his infectious laugh…! He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues in the recycling industry”.
‘Legend’
Simon Ellin, chief executive of the Recycling Association, said today (24 May) that Brian was a real “legend” in the industry. “He was a lovely man, caring and still as sharp as a tack when he came to one of our meetings last year”.
“He was a lovely man, caring and still as sharp as a tack when he came to one of our meetings last year.”
Simon Ellin
Recycling Association
Mr Ellin added that as a founder member of the IWPPA, “Brian’s vision helped shape the organisation we have today. We have a slightly different and successful model to the traditional associations and Brian played a big part in that. I know that all of us at the Association offer our condolences to Brian’s family and colleagues at Perrys at this sad time.”
‘Respected’
Neil Clarke, managing director of paper recycling firm Recycling UK, who was on industry groups with Brian said: “He was such a lovely person. Brian Perry was well-respected across the sector, by both paper mills and merchants.”
And, Mr Clarke pointed to Brian’s successful go-between role when he helped bring paper mills and independent merchants together, and better understand each other, through the UKWIC mills and recycling organisation.
Mentor
A former chair of the LARAC local authority recycling officers group, Paul Deakin, who also worked for a number of years for Perrys, said: “Brian will be truly missed, he was a great asset and mentor to the industry.”
Advice
Graeme Coombs, chairman of the TGM Recycling Group, highlighted Brian Perry’s willingness to offer and advice and encouragement to colleagues in the recycling sector. Mr Cooombs said: “After my Dad, Derek (another founder member of IWPPA) passed away in 1989, Brian often called me to see how I was doing, offering personal advice on outlets, prices, grade qualities (some of which up until that point I had never even heard of) and industry personalities (who to deal with and who to perhaps avoid!). I truly believe that most of what I have managed to learn and retain in the waste paper business started with Brian.”
Funeral
Funeral details are to be confirmed [article will be updated when details are available].
The post Obituary: Brian Perry, chairman of Perrys Recycling appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
