Focus on... Rob Hayward

Our General Manager Rob Hayward oversees the operations of Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility and Dudley Energy from Waste Facility.

With no day the same as the one before, Rob is ultimately responsible for every aspect of running the facilities at peak efficiency and safety. This includes all health and safety requirements, financial performance, and ensuring targets are achieved. With the sector facing many challenges in the coming years not least from the implications of the Emissions Trading Scheme expansion in 2028, it would be fair to say that Rob’s role is essential in remaining responsive to these changes and adapting to the needs of the facilities as the changes present an impact on the sector.  

Our facilities operate with the support, expertise, and experience of our teams, contractors, and industry partners. Working closely with all groups to deliver energy recovery and supporting the local community with contributing positively to the reuse and recycling of their household residual waste is a strong element to Rob’s responsibilities.     

Rolling back 32 years, Rob started his operations career in British Steel before moving to the waste industry in 2013. With the experience of a plant operator dealing with end-of-life plastics, Rob took his skills to the energy from waste industry where he set himself on the trajectory to becoming General Manager for Gloucestershire and Dudley’s Energy from Waste Facilities.     

The Facility is operational 365 days a year generating the equivalent electricity to power approximately 25,000 homes and has a strong operations team. Rob is committed to ensuring his team – from the cleaners to the managers - are supported in having everything they need to carry out their roles safely and efficiently.

With his wide scope of remit, Rob says the most challenging part of his role is the financial aspect. Ensuring value for money and meeting budget targets but the sheer variety of his role is what makes it interesting for Rob: “We have a good team and I really enjoy the challenge of working with our experienced staff as well as our apprentices, alongside our partners and contractors to make sure we’re getting the best possible performance out of the facilities.