OD News Summer 2019

SUMMER 2019 

O’D News 

Driving sustainability - Delivering excellence 

Motor Transport Awards winner! 

Read more on page 3 

Inside this edition: 

Mineral Products 

Association 

Jacqueline joins MPA Council 


Inside Out 

Walter Gill - Clerk to the Carmen 

Company shares his views 


Library dedication 

Library at London Irish Centre 

named in Joe’s honour 


0800 731 3332 sales@odonovan.co.uk odonovan.co.uk /OdonovanWasteDisposal @O’DonovanWaste

OdonovanWasteDisposal 

@ODonovanWaste SUMMER 2019 

Welcome from 

Jacqueline O’Donovan 

I can’t believe we’re already on our summer edition of O’D News and 

well over halfway through our 60th Anniversary year. And what a year 

it’s been, we were all so thrilled to have picked up ‘Urban Delivery 

Operator of the Year’ at the Motor Transport Awards - a massive 

achievement for our family-run business. More on this on page 3. 

As a reflection of our family heritage, this year we’ve also proudly 

dedicated a library at the London Irish Centre to our Father Joe. 

Supporting the Irish community is important to O’Donovan, find out 

more on page 6. 

Have a look at page 8 to see some of the great charitable work the 

team’s been doing recently, this year we’ve focussed our efforts on 

raising funds for heart and cardiac charities. 

As always, I’d encourage you to keep a look-out on our social media accounts to keep up to date 

with what we’re doing. 

Jacqueline O’Donovan 

Managing Director 

Dynamo Welfare project - looking 

after our staff wellbeing 

As a Chartered Institute of Wastes Management 

Affliated Organisations, we were pleased to 

feature in the CIWM’s Update. 

Staff welfare and development is a key 

component of their Code of Conduct and we were 

pleased to share how our Dynamo Project has 

taken shape and it’s success since its launch. 

In an effort to promote positive mental health, 

during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week 

we undertook a campaign throughout the week 

with staff and more broadly in our work. See page 

8 for more details. 

>2 



Motor Transport Awards 2019 

/OdonovanWasteDisposal 

@ODonovanWaste 

In July we were thrilled to receive Motor Transport’s 

Award for Urban Delivery Operator of the Year. A new 

category for 2019, the award recognises the innovative 

solutions the industry is developing to keep our towns 

and cities safe, clean and quiet. With our urban spaces 

becoming more and more crowded, finding ways to 

keep people supplied with everything they need, whilst 

adhering to ever-changing rules and regulations is an 

ongoing challenge for logistics operators. 

The win is a huge achievement for us as a family-run SME 

and it acknowledges our investment and commitment 

to implementing initiatives that tackle key city delivery 

challenges, such as emissions, noise, vulnerable road 

user safety and congestion. 

Our robust strategy prioritises procurement of low 

emission, direct-vision vehicles, as well as using 

innovation, technology and training to reduce 

environmental impact, while continuing to offer our 

clients outstanding levels of service. 

We were shortlisted alongside DPD UK, Bimson Haulage, 

Restore Datashred and Wilson James for the award, 

which was sponsored by Prohire Total Fleet Solutions. The awards ceremony took place on 3 July at 

the Grosvenor House Hotel. 

On collecting the award Michael O’Donovan, Chairman of O’Donovan Waste, said “This is a huge 

success for our team. It’s a fantastic achievement, which recognises our commitment and hard 

work to not only deliver excellent service and add value for our clients in terms of compliance and 

health and safety; but to prioritising our commitment to the community and the environment 

through our sustainable working practices and innovations.” 

0800 731 3332 sales@odonovan.co.uk odonovan.co.uk /OdonovanWasteDisposal @O’DonovanWaste 

>3




Joining the Mineral Products Association Council 

Jacqueline was appointed to the Council for 

the Mineral Products Association (MPA) in July, 

bringing a wealth of industry experience and 

strategic vision to support the role. Alongside 

its waste business, O’Donovan supplies a 

range of recycled aggregate to its customers, 

and has been a long standing member of the 

MPA. 

The MPA, now in its 10th anniversary year, 

was formed from the merger of the Quarry 

Products Association, the British Cement 

Association and The Concrete Centre and 

is the trade association for the aggregates, 

asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, 

lime, mortar and silica sand industries. 

The Council is responsible for all matters relating to membership and for advising the Board on 

strategic and other key policy issues taking into account the views of the wider membership. 

Members are appointed to the Council as chairs of committees or for their individual industry 

knowledge and to ensure all parts of the industry are represented. 

MPA Chief Executive, Nigel Jackson, said: “I am delighted that Jacqueline is joining our Council. She, 

along with the other Council members collectively bring a wealth of additional commercial and 

industry experience which will ensure that we represent the interests of all our members large, 

medium and small more effectively across the mineral and waste resources agenda.” 

Jacqueline commented: “I am delighted to join the MPA Council and look forward to using my insight 

and innovative ideas in a positive way to help benefit matters relating to the membership whilst 

representing the SME sector in key policy issues.” 

DfT Year of Diversity launch 

We were proud 

sponsors of the 

official launch 

for the DfT’s 

Year of Diversity 

in Logistics 

and Transport. 

As vice-chair, 

Jacqueline was 

joined by key 

industry figures 

all of whom 

were helping to 

promote diversity and inclusion. 

CIWM Health and Safety campaign 

The CIWM’s Health and 

Safety Campaign - called 

‘This time it’s personal’ is 

a priority policy theme for 

2019. 

The campaign aims to 

improve the health and 

safety culture of the 

resources and waste 

management sector. 

Jacqueline took to the stage at the Institute’s Wales 

and South West event in June with a presentation 

on behavioural safety in the waste industry. 

>4 





Summer of safety 

As always we’ve had a busy summer out and about at events around 

the capital to help promote road safety especially among vulnerable 

road users, particularly children and cyclists. 

Award-winning - CIHT Awards 

In June we picked up a highly commended 

award at the Chartered Institute of Highways 

and Transport awards in recognition for our 

Dynamo Welfare project. 

Construction News Awards 

The following month we were highly 

commended again, this time at the 

Construction News awards for Outstanding 

Contribution to Construction. 

0800 731 3332 sales@odonovan.co.uk odonovan.co.uk /OdonovanWasteDisposal @O’DonovanWaste 

>5




New to our fleet 

Remembering Joe 

It is 60 years since Joe O’Donovan started working for 

himself, having arrived in London in the 1950’s. As a family 

we are so 

proud of his 

achievements 

and vision 

to start a 

business; 

so we were 

delighted 

to attend 

a special evening at the London Irish Centre to 

name the Irish Library in his honour. It was made 

even better that the plaque was unveiled by Joe’s 

wife Kathleen. It is important to us that the Irish 

community are supported and helped and the 

London Irish Centre does a fantastic job in providing 

assistance where it is needed. It gives us great 

satisfaction to be able to donate to help them continue their great work. 

City of London 2019 Cartmarking 

Pictured are Michael and 

Ryan at this year’s annual 

cartmarking ceremony at the 

Guildhall. 

This year they took along one 

of the our Scanias bearing 

original livery to celebrate 

our 60th anniversary and 

commemorating our Founder 

Joe. 

>6 



Inside Out: Walter Gill, Clerk to the 

Carmen Compay 



Walter commenced work with the Carmen in 2000 and took over office 

of the Clerk in 2003. It’s a role that brings many challenges; serving a 

different Master each year, adapting to the many different ideas and 

inspirations which drive each individual, helping them to realise their 

specific goals. His influence has extended beyond the Worshipful 

Company of Carmen. From 2018-2019 he served as President of the 

Fellowship of Clerks and works with various charities, two of which are 

part of the Carmen Company. 

Walter will retire on 16 October 2019 after more than 19 years with the Carmen Company. 

Q: Who is the person who has influenced you the most? 

I would have to say my father, however I have gained much 

advice from meeting other people. 

Q: What’s the unending quest that drives you on? 

My job is extremely varied so I am always trying to get things 

perfect. However, no matter how many times I run events 

there will always be something, no matter how small, that does 

not go to plan or how you want it to. It is how one deals with 

the issue that drives me on. 

Q: How would you spend your fantasy 24 hours with no 

travel restrictions? 

I would visit three of the seven wonders of the modern world 

that I have not seen yet, which are: The Great Wall of China; 

Christ the Redeemer and Machu Picchu. 

Q: What single thing would improve the quality of your 

life? 

Although money would be the usual answer, to have no 

ailments would be wonderful. 

Q: What’s been your greatest business challenge? 

Currently it’s geting our Heritage Trust up and running which 

will see a new home for the Carmen for future generations. 

Q: Where would you like to be right now? 

At Headingly watching the ashes series against Australia. 

Q: What piece of wisdom would you pass onto a child? 

Q: What’s the most fun you’ve ever had at work? 

I have fun most days, however on one of our charity golf days 

I was paired with comedian Tom O’Connor who had me in 

stitches during the entire round. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about your profession? 

The variety of different people I get to meet from all around the 

world. 

Q: What keeps you awake at night? 

The wife. 

Q: Is there one thing you avoid doing at all costs? 

Walking under ladders. 

Q: Most embarrassing moment at work? 

All I can say is always check who you are sending your emails 

and text messages to. My wife, my Deputy Clerk and a number 

of other people I know are called Helen. So after a difficult day 

at work I sent a text to my wife saying “long difficult day, have a 

glass of red wine and a hug ready for me when I get home” only 

to receive an instant reply from my Deputy saying “Happy to let 

you have a glass of wine but you are not getting any hugs”. 

Q: What has been your biggest disappointment? 

My first marriage. I was in the Army when we met and married 

and away on exercise and postings for a lot of the time; so 

I suppose neither of us put in the time or effort to make it a 

success. 

Q: What’s your biggest vice? 

Always say your Ps and Qs and you will go far in life. 

Red wine and the occasional menthol cigarette. 

>7 


London GAA 

We’re proud sponsors of the London Gaelic Athletic Association and delivered skips, bins and wheelie 

bins for the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship 

game - London v Galway. Pleased to see our logo on 

the team shirts in what was a close game with a great 

atmosphere! 

Mental Health Awareness week 

We strongly believe everyone should be able 

to talk about their mental health. To help raise 

awareness throughout Mental Health Week our 

lorries were decked out with green ribbons and 

shared tips on social media. 

Supporting Pieta House 

In May, the O’Donovan team took part in the 

Darkness into Light fundraising 5km walk in 

aid of Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm 

crisis centre with donations also going to the 

Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy 

charity (ICAP). 

The global walk starts in darkness at 4.15am and 

thousands of people from around the world walk 

from the darkness of night into the light of the 

morning to help in the fight against suicide and 

self-harm 

>Email 

sales@odonovan.co.uk 

>Call 

0800 731 3332 

>Twitter 


> Find us on Facebook 


>Web 

odonovan.co.uk

OD News Summer 2019

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