2019 Yearbook

OUR YEAR 

2019

Contents 

The O’Donovan Way 

Services 

Safety 

Health and wellbeing 

In the media 

Training 

Technology 

Heritage 

Our industry 

Sustainability 

Our news 

Out and about 

New fleet 

Key events 

Awards 

Compliance 

Corporate social responsibility 

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Our history 

Denis Joseph O’Donovan, fondly known as Generous 

Joe, arrived in London in the 1950s after moving from 

a rural village in West Cork. In a dance hall in London 

Joe met his wife Kathleen, who also came from West 

Cork, they married in 1958, settling in Kilburn. They 

had four children: Michael, Caroline, Anthony and 

Jacqueline. 

Joe’s ambition and determination to succeed in 

business was 

paramount – like a 

lot of young men 

who had made the 

journey over the 

pond. Having 

previously worked 

on the railways 

and construction 

sites, Joe used this 

experience and in 

1959 he bought 

a Caterpillar 951 

tracked shovel 

and secured his first demolition job. He went on to 

purchase a tipper and eventually moved into skip 

lorries, establishing a depot in Kings Cross (which is 

now the site of the British Library) where his new 

business thrived and began to expand. 

Sadly however Joe passed 

away suddenly in 1985 

at the age of 51, leaving 

an extremely successful 

business which needed 

continuing. His four 

children were thrust into 

the running of the family 

business and at this stage none of them had many 

years’ experience under their belts. This didn’t stop the 

family however and they took over the running of the 

business. 

Nothing has changed in the intervening years, 

O’Donovan is still entirely family-owned and is run by 

the four siblings with Michael the CEO, Caroline and 

Anthony the Operations Directors 

and Jacqueline, Managing Director. All of them are 

fiercely proud of the family-values and Irish heritage 

which have helped make O’Donovan a continued 

success. 

After working out of numerous locations in North 

London, the business finally settled in Tottenham 

which is home to their HQ and is one of the six depots in 

London and the South East. 

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O’Donovan Waste through the years 

1959-2019 

The O’Donovan children in the 

family’s one bed flat in Kilburn 

Joe and Kathleen’s wedding - 

1959 

sales@odonovan.co.uk 0800 731 3332 

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O’Donovan Waste 1959-2019 

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Dad’s first demolition job, 

Maida Vale 1959 - the 

start of who we are today! 

Dad’s first 

low-loader 

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Services 

How can we 

help you? 

Did you know we offer all of these services? 

Our comprehensive range of award-winning services are available round the 

clock - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Whether you need a skip, 

bin, tipper, aggregates, sweepers or any of our other comprehensive waste 

management services, our team are on hand to help. 

Tippers 

Our FORS Gold and CLOCS compliant fleet of 

32 tonne tippers are available for muck away, 

excavation, day work and delivery of 

materials. 

Roll on Roll off bins 

Job too big for a skip? Our Roll on/off bins are 

robust and versatile and suitable for larger 

projects. 

Containers are available in 20 and 40 cubic 

yards. 

They can take rubble, industrial or commercial 

waste, bulky recyclables and more. 

Call us: 0800 731 3332 

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Demolition 

From industrial dismantling, asbestos removal, 

strip-outs, full site clearance, scaffolding and rubbish 

removal, we provide a comprehensive demolition 

service. 

assisting clients with legal compliance whilst 

on site. 

We offer site visits, welfare and risk assessments 

and method statements. Our full Compliance 

Department 

ensures all CDM 

and associated 

regulations are 

adhered to – 

Hazardous Waste 

We offer a comprehensive range of COSHH 

(Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) 

waste management services. We provide 240 

and 660 litre wheelie bins to meet your site 

needs, segregating and labelling hazardous 

waste; as well as fluorescent lamp recycling 

and can arrange collection and disposal using 

our team of ADR licenced drivers. Where practicable, 

these materials are recycled or re-used, 

or are processed and disposed of at a suitably 

licensed facility, ensuring legal and duty of care 

requirements are met. We manage and review 

the chain of custody process ensuring full traceability. 

COSHH waste may include items like empty paint tins, solvent and mastic containers, oily rags 

and aerosols. 

Email us: sales@odonovan.co.uk 


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Services 

Skips 

We offer a full range of skips from 4 cubic 

yards right up to 40. We also provide certified 

lifting skips as well as lockable skips. 

Our ‘wait & load’ service gives complete 

flexibility and where necessary, we can 

help with local authority permits and supply 

covers and lights. 

Road sweepers 

Keep sites and roads clear and compliant with 

our range of road sweepers, operated by our 

fully-qualified drivers. 

Call us: 0800 731 3332 

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Caged vehicles 

If you need to hire a caged vehicle, our driver 

will come to you and wait while you load the 

waste. This service is for bulk collections of 

general waste only and cannot be used for 

any hazardous waste. 

A more cost effective option if you have the 

labour and location for the vehicle to be 

parked legally on-road or have access to park 

off-road – eliminating the need to obtain and 

pay for a council permit. We can also arrange 

to load the vehicle for you. 

Grabs 

The perfect solution for awkward to access 

spaces, our grab lorries provide a quick and 

easy solution for collection of waste or 

delivery of aggregates. 



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Services 

Aggregates 

Our recycling plants crush and grade construction 

waste to WRAP quality protocols. 

We can provide specified materials including 

Type 2 crushed concrete, concrete fines, 

6F1 and 6F2, crushed brick, hardcore and 

screened topsoil. All our recycled materials 

come with a quality certification. 

At our recycling facility we use state-of-theart 

machinery to process construction and 

demolition site waste into 100% recycled 

aggregates. We also supply quarried 

aggregate and stone. 

Wheelie bins and compactor lorries 

Hiring wheelie bins is the ideal solution for 

limited site access or space. Our compactor 

vehicles empty the wheelie bins at the time 

of your choosing and the bins come in a 

variety of sizes. 

Call us: 0800 731 3332 

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Waste transfer and material recycling 

We have licenced waste transfer stations for the disposal of non-hazardous waste and a material 

recycling facility. Our facilities in north and west London are also open to the public for tipping 

non-hazardous waste. 

Our investment in these sites and state-of-the-art facilities mean we re-use the maximum 

amount possible and recycle 100% of all waste through our Energy from Waste programme. 



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Safety 

Addressing safety 

in the waste industry 

At the start of 2019, it was announced that Jacqueline would be joining forces with the Waste 

Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum. Jacqueline was asked to collaborate to help further raise 

awareness of the number of incidents in the sector, particularly within the SME segment. 

The WISH Forum, which is operated by the Chartered 

Institute of Wastes Management, aims to identify, create 

and promote activities to improve industry health and safety 

performance. Working with the WISH SME Group, Jacqueline 

will look to consult with key stakeholders to help improve 

standards across the board. 

“I am honoured to have been asked to join the working 

group,” said Jacqueline. “The group’s aim is to work with 

SMEs to raise awareness and help improve safety. WISH 

has created a pocket guide and is introducing the i-Auditor 

templates to help companies carry out internal assessments. 

I am looking forward to developing further practical solutions.” 

Find out more about the WISH Forum at: wishforum.org.uk 

Eight years and counting 

2019 saw us being awarded our FORS Gold accreditation 

for eight consecutive years. As a Gold operator 

it’s imperative that we retain this standard as it 

demonstrates our commitment to the safety of all road 

users. 

It’s also part of O’Donovan’s ongoing goal to go above 

and beyond best practice as an everyday occurrence in 

every part of our operations. Our future plans include 

our commitment to continued fleet improvements as 

we transition to procuring more direct vision lorries. The 

professionalisation of our lorry drivers remains a key 

focus, with continuous training and development. 

Achieving and maintaining our Gold standard for this period is of huge importance to us and is 

something we are immensely proud of. The benefits have been numerous and have included 

reductions in insurance premiums and also improved performance management and significantly 

reduced impact on the environment through lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. 

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Exchanging Places 

As always we’ve had a busy year out and about at events around the capital to help promote road 

safety especially among vulnerable road users, particularly children and cyclists. 


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Safety 

Road Safety Week 

This year’s Brake Road Safety Week ran from 18-24 November where they were encouraging 

us all to ‘Step up for Safe Streets’ to find out about the design-led solutions to help us all to get 

around safely. 

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To kick the week off we headed back to school, visiting the children of St Martin of Porres Primary 

to help with their learning about road safety awareness. We had a great time showing them 

around one of our lorries, the children were so engaged and eager to learn. 

Later in the week we took to social media to share views from the lorry cab - correct mirror 

positioning, 5-way CCTV, fresnel lenses and cyclops mirrors all help to eliminate blind spots. But 

direct vision is the best view as it allows for actual eye contact between road users and drivers. 


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Health and wellbeing 

Investing in staff - O’Donovan Dynamo 

This year we implemented a well-being strategy for our 

team called the Dynamo Welfare Project (Dynamo), which is 

part of our unique pledge to staff development and delivery 

of highest standards for our customers. 

Research by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 

2018 showed that workers in the waste sector suffered 

more from work-related ill health than others across 

all industries. Our awareness to this risk has meant a 

continued commitment to prioritising the workplace 

wellness of our team, alongside their physical safety. 

Our Dynamo project was officially launched in March with 

the aim of taking a more holistic and inclusive approach 

to staff health and wellbeing, resulting in a safer, more efficient and engaged workforce, who 

continue to operate at the highest standards. Dynamo was designed to help staff in maintaining 

positive health and wellbeing by teaching self-awareness techniques and tools to help manage a 

range of negative emotions, including anxiety. 

The programme includes interactive ongoing, 

in-house training modules to arm staff with 

the ability to deal effectively with day-to-day 

challenges in both their work and private lives. 

Family values sit at the very heart of our business and we consider 

safeguarding our team’s physical and mental health a top priority. The 

introduction of this policy sends the strongest message to our staff 

- that their wellbeing is of paramount importance. The training we 

have implemented helps us manage daily challenges better, not just at 

work but at home too, which greatly benefits everyone – staff, clients 

and our company. 

Pictured opposite is the kit used to monitor and assess our employee’s 

reactions to stressful situations. 

Monitoring the ongoing strategy has been vital 

to the success its success and an assessment 

tool was introduced before and after training. 

The anonymised results have shown reductions 

in organisational daily stress - measured at 

61% before training and 29% one month later 

with more tangible results including a 15% 

decrease in absenteeism, a 32% decrease in 

stress. 

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2019 is the Department of 

Transport’s Year of Diversity 

in Transport, Freight and 

Logistics and we were 

excited that Jacqueline was 

selected as Vice-Chair of its 

new Diversity and Inclusion 

group. On behalf of DfT and 

STAT, the launch of a Year of 

Diversity in Transport and 

Logistics is headed up by 

Tracey Worth, CEO Institute 

of Couriers and Chair of the 

STAT group. As Vice-Chair, 

Jacqueline provides vision 

and leadership in promoting 

a culture in the sector that 

values and supports diversity, 

equality and inclusion. 

DfT Year of Diversity 

Jacqueline has been a steadfast supporter of promoting opportunities and advancing best practice 

in the transport and logistics sector. As the only female MD of a waste management business 

in London, she has worked tirelessly to improve diversity across the industry and has promoted 

career development through industry speaking, peer mentoring, and collaborating about the 

experience and opportunities available to all in the sector. 

“I am extremely honoured to be part of the Taskforce to promote and advance this opportunity 

for change in our industry” Jacqueline commented. “When businesses adopt a culture of diversity 

and inclusion, there are a whole range of benefits that follow including teams that work smarter 

and are more productive and innovative. Through the STAT group, we hope to encourage diversity 

by raising awareness and focusing on how the sector can be more inclusive and together, we can 

make the changes that will help companies succeed.” 

“Developing a culture of diversity and inclusion is something all companies must address. 

Committing to a diverse workforce will offer positive benefits, especially to staff wellbeing 

and operational processes. Millennials often only apply for jobs with companies that have 

diversity and inclusion policies in place; this means CEO’s and MD’s will need to address this 

as a culture of inclusion and is essential to attract talent to recruit. Jacqueline is a leading 

example, having implemented a Diversity and Inclusion policy in her own company and I am 

very pleased to have her experience and considerable knowledge in this workgroup.” 

Tracey Worth, CEO, Institute of Couriers and Chair of STAT 


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Training 

New Driver CPC course - Doing it right 

Our very latest Driver CPC course has just been 

developed and designed and follows the Moral, 

Economic and Legal (MEL) theme. Delivered in one 

day, this brand new training module is aimed at all 

our drivers to help them: 

• Maintain professionalism to safeguard our 

image and reputation 

• Deliver first-class customer service and manage 

our customers’ expectations 

• Continue to reduce road risk, improve safety 

and reduce costs 

• Communicate the importance of compliance 

with the law, our company policy and operating 

standards 

The course is divided into four sections: You’re in 

the News which covers who O’Donovan Waste is, 

how our business has grown and how our drivers 

represent O’Donovan every day when they’re on 

the road; Customer Service includes our drivers 

as our ambassadors, who our clients are and how 

to deliver great customer service; Insurance and 

Risk looks at how our drivers can help reduce road 

risk, how we’re at the forefront of high vision cab 

use and education. Lastly Operational Compliance 

makes sure our drivers understand the importance 

of our licence to operate, the laws which govern 

our business and how we make sure we work at the highest standards. 

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Safe Urban Driving 

Thousands of drivers across the 

UK have undertaken Safe Urban 

Driving (SUD) training which 

is designed to ensure HGV 

drivers understand the risks on 

our busy urban roads and are 

equipped to operate safely. 

The course focuses on how 

drivers share the roads safely 

with vulnerable road users 

including pedestrians and 

cyclists. 

It’s compulsory for all our drivers 

to undertake SUD training and 

a group were out on their bikes 

recently with an instructor. 

The course involves a complete 

day of training consisting of a 

classroom based theory session followed by the on-road cycling. Getting in close proximity to HGVs 

and buses whilst on their bikes gives our drivers first-hand experience of cycling on London’s roads 

and allows them to really appreciate what cyclists experience. 

SUD training is fully aligned to help us 

to continue to meet the requirements of 

our FORS accreditation and the CLOCS 

Standard. 

All are welcome to join us on any future 

courses. Simply contact us if you’d like to 

take part. 


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Technology 

We have a range of technologies in place in our vehicles and for use by our drivers to ensure we’re 

operating at the highest and safest standard possible. From safety equipment added to our vehicles 

and in-vehicle systems, to walk around check and defect reporting apps for our drivers, below is a 

selection of some of the tools we use on a daily basis across our business. 

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Heritage 

Remembering Joe 

2019 is our anniversary - 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. 

Cartmarking 2019 

Pictured are Michael and Ryan at this year’s annual 

cartmarking ceremony at the Guildhall. This year they took 

along one of our Scanias bearing original livery to celebrate 

our 60th anniversary and commemorating our Founder Joe. 


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Heritage 

St. Patrick’s Day 2019 

As you’d expect the O’Donovan diaries are pretty full around St. Patrick’s Day and this year was no 

exception! 

Kicking off the season Jacqueline 

attended a fantastic event at 

the Irish Embassy where she 

met Ireland’s Ambassador Adrian 

O’Neill, their Royal Highnesses 

The Prince of Wales and 

Duchess of Cornwall, along with 

Simon Coveney, Deputy Prime 

Minister to Ireland. The dinner 

event celebrated close ties and 

friendships. 

This year we were pleased to 

get involved in Random Acts 

of Kindness Day and donated 

30 tickets for the London Irish 

Centre’s St.Patrick’s tea dance, which were given out to the elder patrons and visitors to the centre. 

On the St.Patrick’s weekend we celebrated in style at the annual St. Patrick’s Festival Ball and had a 

fantastic day at the parade in London. The theme for this year’s parade was Zero Emissions - so this 

year we took a horse and cart. 

Check out some of the pictures below and opposite of all the festivities! 

We enjoyed meeting 

dignitaries including 

Prince Charles and 

the Duchess of 

Cornwall; Tánaiste 

Simon Coveney and 

Irish Ambassador’s 

wife Aisling O’Neill. 

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We had a fantastic time with friends and family at the St. Patrick’s Day 

ball and parade; we hosted Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK, his Excellency 

Adrian O’Neill and actor James Nesbitt. 


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Our industry 

Joining the MPA 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.” 

Love the Lorry 

Week 

As part of the Road Haulage Association’s Love the 

Lorry Week we had lots of goodies to hand out to 

help promote the campaign and encourage the next 

generation of workers into our industry! 

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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 in transport, freight and logistics. 

She Built That 

In September Jacqueline took part 

in a panel session at an event held 

by Enterprise Ireland to break the 

stereotypes in today’s construction 

industry and showcase the careers 

available. 

20 young women were welcomed to 

the Embassy of Ireland and learned that 

the construction sector isn’t limited to 

working on-site in PPE. Jacqueline was 

joined on the panel by Eilis McShane, 

Façade Specialist; Alison Nicholl, Head 

of Constructing Excellence; Nuala 

Forsey, Facilitator and Coach at Being The Change and Kate McMillan, Development Consultant. 


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Sustainability 

We want to foster change around the idea of throwing away items that are old, or considered 

as ‘rubbish’. So many things can be re-used, helping to preserve resources for the future. As 

part of our waste collection and demolition work we bring vast amounts of materials into our 

processing plants in Tottenham, north London and Alperton, west London. 

We already divert 100% of these materials from landfill through a range of recycling methods, 

however we know that some items such as planters, doors, garden furniture, wood and so 

much more could be put to good use elsewhere. 

Introducing the O’Donovan Re-Use Hub 

Our Re-Use Hub is available for those who are interested in re-using materials in their 

community projects. 

We offer these types of items free of charge in the hope of seeing them being re-used within 

our local communities. The only thing we ask 

is that they are collected from our depots, any 

items not wanted for re-use will be recycled 

maintaining our 100% diversion record. 

It would be great to see this type of ‘waste’ 

going to support some great causes in our local 

community and beyond; and most importantly 

seeing some fantastic items being turned into 

exciting new projects! 

Here is the team at Crowland Primary School in 

Haringey collecting some recycling from us to 

use in the development of their outdoor areas. 

Want to find out more? Simply email sales@ 

odonovan.co.uk to see how we can help 

you! 

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Sustainability is paramount for O’Donovan. We look to protect what we currently have and also 

for our future generations. We recycle as much as possible into recoverable and reusable materials 

and remove reliance on dwindling virgin materials. 

Our waste processing site is self-sufficient in a number of ways including the use of solar panels to 

provide the electricity needed to power all the heavy process plant on site and a water harvesting 

system which collects rain water, with the capacity to store 60,000 litres for use across the entire 

site, including our suppression systems. 


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Our news 

January 

Jacqueline joins WISH Waste 

steering group 

March 

February 

O’Donovan puts the 

health back into health 

and safety 

National Recycling 

Awards invite 

Jacqueline to judge 

Jacqueline meets Prince 

of Wales at Irish Embassy 

April 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Taskforce appoints 

Jacqueline as Vice-Chair 

O’Donovan 

shortlisted in 

Motor Transport 

Awards 

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O’Donovan retains FORS 

Gold for eighth consecutive 

year 

Launch of the 

Department 

for Transport’s 

Year of 

Diversity 

July 

May 

June 

Supporting Mental 

Health Awareness 

week with green 

ribbons 

O’Donovan highly 

commended at CIHT 

Awards 

Joe O’Donovan library 

unveiled at London Irish 

Centre 

Winners of Urban 

Delivery Operator 

of the Year at Motor 

Transport Awards 


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Our news 

August 

Joe O’Donovan 

Memorial Stakes 

at Kempston Park 

Irish Night 

Jacqueline appointed to 

Mineral Products Association 

Council 

September 

Taking part in Love the 

Lorry Week to encourage 

the next generation 

Jacqueline takes part 

in inaugural Business 

Post UK and Ireland 

Construction Forum 

O’Donovan Waste 

highly commended in 

Company Driver Safety 

category at Brake Fleet 

Safety Awards 

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Jacqueline takes home 

regional Forward Ladies 

Award for London and the 

South East 

October 

November 

Prestigious Sir 

Frank Davies trophy 

presented to 

O’Donovan Waste at 

MPA Awards 

December 

Jacqueline highly 

commended Mentor of 

the Year at the National 

Forward Ladies Summit 

Jacqueline crowned 

Entrepreneur of 

the Year at Growing 

Business Awards 


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Out and about 

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New fleet additions 

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Follow us on social media to keep up to date! 

OdonovanWasteDisposal 

@odonovanwaste 

o’donovan-waste-disposal 


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Key events 

9th 

January 

High Speed 2 Lunch and Learn 

Jacqueline was guest speaker discussing road 

safety, family business and all things waste. 

15th 

icap Annual Ball 

We attended the annual 

fundraising dinner which helps people change 

their lives through counselling and psychotherapy. 

March 

23rd 

Future Fleet 

Forum 

We went along 

to the Guildhall to attend the LAPV Future Fleet 

Awards. 

15th 

St. Patrick’s Dinner 

Jacqueline met the Prince of Wales and 

the Duchess of Cornwall at the Irish 

Embassy London at a St. Patrick’s dinner, 

starting the season. 

1st 

February 

27th 

Worshipful Company of Carmen 

We were delighted to attend the 

Foundation and Re-Dedication service 

with the Worshipful Company of Carmen. 

St. Brigid’s Day 

Jacqueline joined a panel of trailblazing Irish 

women at the St. Brigid’s Day celebrations hosted 

by the Irish Embassy London. 

April 

10th 

Safety and Health Excellence Awards 

As a finalist we headed to the SHE 

Awards in Birmingham and were 

thrilled to pick up a certificate of 

achievement. 

1st 

We took part in a Transport for London 

consultation meeting discussing 

proposed Direct Vision Standard 

legislation. 

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22nd May July 

Let’s Recycle Live 

In an interactive session, Jacqueline shared her 

insights on her career, challenges faced and how 

she’s become a waste management leader. 

16th 

Protecting vulnerable road users 

We took part in a webinar with Brake 

discussing road safety and operating HGVs in 

urban environments. 

21st 

June 

17th 

Cartmarking ceremony 

We took a vintage Scania bearing our original 

livery to celebrate our 60th anniversary to 

this year’s Cartmarking ceremony. 

CIWM Meeting 

Jacqueline went along to the Chartered 

Institute of Wastes Management meeting 

in Bristol to speak about behavioural 

safety. 

24th 

National Mineral Products Association 

Conference 

We attended this year’s conference at the QEII 

Centre in Westminster where there was a broad 

range of topics up for discussion. 

31st 

We had a great day 

meeting families 

at this year’s 

Summer in the 

Park at Battersea, 

delivering 

Exchanging 

Places with the 

Metropolitan Police. 


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Key events 

14th 

August 

19th 

She Built That 

Enterprise Ireland’s She Built That 

event recognises the impact of the 

construction industry, and Jacqueline 

was on another panel discussion the 

event. 

Joe O’Donovan Memorial Novice Stakes 

We had a great night at Kempton Park racecourse 

where we named a race in our Dad’s honour - the 

Joe O’Donovan Memorial Novice Stakes. 

20th 

BITA Networking Lunch 

The 50th British and Irish Trading Alliance 

networking lunch was held at One Whitehall Place. 

18th 

September 

UK & Ireland Construction Forum 

Jacqueline took part in a panel discussion entitled 

‘How the construction supply chain can add value 

to the industry’. 

27th 

Forward Ladies Summit 

We went along to the 

Forward Ladies National 

Awards and Summit 

which is the UK’s largest 

business support network 

for women in business. 

Jacqueline also won the 

Regional Mentor of the Year 

award. 

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October 

15th 

FORS Conference 

It was a full house at this year’s FORS 

Conference where we joined our peers 

to hear from leading figures across the 

transport sector. 

26th 

We are cycling UK 

We were at 

‘Supporting Staff 

through Cycling’ 

business breakfast at 

the Dutch Embassy in 

the UK. 

December 

18th 

23rd 

Transport for Greater Manchester 

Richard our Commercial Director went 

along to hear about the launch of CLOCS 

by Transport for Greater Manchester. 

Quarries and Nature 2019 

The Mineral Products Association’s 

Quarries and Nature awards celebrated 

innovation and biodiversity in the 

industry. 

3rd 

Natwest everywoman 

We were celebrating 

female entrepreneurs at 

the Natwest everywoman 

lunch in December. 

4th 

November 

Gnewt & UPS Low Emission Freight Trials 

We learned about the outcomes of the 

trials and the future of low emission 

transport across London at this event 

held at City Hall. 

4th 

Mineral Products Association lunch 

The Park Lane Hotel was the venue 

for this year’s MPA Christmas lunch. 

6th 

14th 

Irish Post 

Awards 

We were 

pleased 

to join 

this year’s 

guest list 

for the 

Irish Post 

Awards 

held at The 

Grosvenor. 

Lighthouse Club 

We had a great afternoon at the annual Christmas 

lunch. 


59

Awards 

Motor Transport Awards 2019 

Urban Delivery Operator of the Year 

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 familyrun 

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.” 

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www.odonovan.co.uk

Safety and Health 

Excellence 

Health and Safety Team of the Year 

In a category designed to recognise health and 

safety teams that make a significant difference in the 

workplace, we were pleased to be highly commended 

at this year’s Safety & Health Excellence awards. 

CIHT Awards 

Health and Wellbeing 

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 

Outstanding Contribution to Construction 

July saw us being highly commended again, 

this time at the Construction News awards 

for Outstanding Contribution to Construction. 


61

Awards 

Forward Ladies 

Mentor of the Year 

Jacqueline added another trophy to 

the cabinet in September when she 

was presented with the Mentor of 

the Year award at the Forward Ladies 

(FL) Awards in London and the South 

East. Jacqueline was selected for 

her track record in mentoring and 

developing future leaders of the waste, 

construction and logistics sectors 

whilst also taking a strong stance on 

encouraging diversity and inclusion. 

The FL National Awards & Summit 

recognise the achievements of businesswomen in the UK who are dedicated to encouraging the 

growth of women and celebrate the achievements of successful women across the UK. 

Forward Ladies CEO Griselda Togobo said: “Jacqueline is a genuine inspiration and role-model for 

women. An undisputed leader and ‘disruptor’ in a male-dominated industry, Jacqueline is one of 

the waste and construction sectors’ most influential trailblazers – passionately advocating for 

road-safety and best-practice, she has championed improved standards, resulting in a safer and 

more responsible sector”. 

Jacqueline commented “I am delighted to receive this award for mentoring as it is something I not 

only enjoy doing and I am passionate about it. At the moment there is such economic uncertainty 

and it is important to continue to encourage others into our industry sectors so we can offer 

guidance and direction whilst navigating the current business climate”. 

Brake Fleet Safety Awards 

Company Driver Safety 

We were highly commended in Company Driver 

Safety at September’s Brake Fleet Safety Awards. 

62 

www.odonovan.co.uk

Mineral Products Association 

Sir Frank Davies Trophy 

We were awarded the prestigious Sir Frank Davies 

Trophy at the Mineral Products Association (MPA) Annual 

Conference and Awards in November. The conference and 

lunch, which is one of the MPA’s most important events 

of the year brings together companies from across 

the country to celebrate commitment, progress and 

achievement in health and safety. 

The MPA, now in its 10th anniversary year, is the trade 

association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, 

concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and silica 

sand industries. It has a growing membership of 530 

companies and is the sectoral voice for mineral products. 

The trophy is for health and safety achievements in 

companies with fewer than 1000 employees and was 

presented to Jacqueline at their Annual Luncheon. The 

respected accolade is awarded to a company that is judged to keep safety at the top of their 

agenda and who have the best safety performance through continuous progression. 

Jacqueline commented: “I am absolutely honoured for us to win this award. We work hard 

to ensure that health and safety is not only a top priority at O’Donovan, but it is second 

nature to the team in every operation we carry out. We never 

stop learning and work with our stakeholders, from clients to our 

insurance company Direct Insurance, who have been an integral 

part of our success and assist us in implementing innovative 

change and share our vision on all round safer working practices. 

It is a fantastic achievement to be awarded this trophy and we 

would like to thank the judges and the MPA for the recognition.” 

Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA, said: “The winner 

of the Sir Frank Davies Trophy for outstanding practice and 

performance for those companies with fewer than 1,000 

employees was O’Donovan Waste Disposal who the judges felt 

had sustained their health and safety performance year-onyear, 

transferring health and safety from a mere priority to a true 

value”. 


63

Awards 

Growing Business Awards 2019 

Entrepreneur of the Year 

In a gala event at the Tower of London, Jacqueline 

was announced as winner of the Growing Business 

Awards Entrepreneur of the Year. The awards 

were established in 1998 to give highly valued 

recognition to exceptional growing businesses. 

Now in their 21st year, the awards celebrate the 

strength, vision and resilience of fast-growing 

SMEs and Business Leaders across all sectors. 

Jacqueline was selected by the judges for her 

outstanding positive leadership coupled with a 

strong track record of commercial success and 

driving a positive agenda for best practice and 

change in her sector whilst demonstrating her 

commitment to the community through her 

charitable activities. 

Jacqueline said: “I was totally shocked to win this 

award but also delighted. It is no easy feat to 

navigate a business and achieve continuing growth 

whilst advocating for innovation and change in our 

sector but it is worth it to have tributes like this 

and see the hard work paying off. I am incredibly proud of our family and our team who all have a 

part to play in our collective success.” 

The Growing Business Awards judges commented: “Jacqueline is a unique individual who is a real 

influencer in her sector. She is a passionate investor in people and is building sustainable business 

growth with clarity on value over price.” 

Forward Ladies National 

Awards & Summit 

Mentor of the Year 

At the end of November Jacqueline was highly 

commended in the Mentor of the Year category in the 

10th annual Forward Ladies awards that celebrates 

female talent in especially male-dominated areas. 

64 

www.odonovan.co.uk

Compliance 

Accreditations 

Memberships 


65


Heart Research UK 

On a casual clothes day in May the team wore it red again to 

help raise funds for Heart Research UK. 

Marie Curie Daffodil appeal 

In recognition of the start of Marie Curie UK’s 

daffodil appeal, the O’Donovan team came to work 

decked out in yellow for one of our Dress Down 

Fridays. 

Irish Youth Foundation 

As Jacqueline is a trustee of the Irish Youth Foundation, 

we’re often involved in their events. In March they held a 

great fund-raising evening - A Question of Irish Sport. 

66 

www.odonovan.co.uk

Recycling in our local community 

Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean took 

place in March, so were encouraging people to 

recycle. 

We regularly share recycled items with projects in 

our local community. Here are some of the team 

at Crowland Primary School in Haringey collecting 

some recycling from us to be used to develop their 

outdoor areas. 

Raising money for Comic Relief 

On another Dress Down Fridays the team wore red in aid of Comic Relief’s 2019 Red Nose 

Day which to date has raised over £63m for vulnerable people in the UK and abroad. 


67


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. 

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! 

68 

www.odonovan.co.uk

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. 

London Irish Vintage Rally 

We were delighted to be able to help out with bins and 

skips at the London Irish Vintage Rally again this year - 

a brilliant family day out! 

Children’s Heart Federation 

Another dress down Friday in August 

saw us raising money for the Children’s 

Heart Federation which works to make life 

better for children and young people with 

acquired or congenital heart disease. 


69


Blood Pressure UK 

For our 60th Anniversary our fundraising is centered around heart health. In July a dress down 

day was for Blood Pressure UK - the only charity solely dedicated to lower the nation’s blood 

pressure to prevent disability and death from stroke and heart disease. We got our blood 

pressure monitor out to help raise awareness among our workforce! 

First aid training 

Motor Neurone Disease 

We supported a team of 24 amazing 

cyclists taking part in a bike ride in 

September from The Claddagh Ring 

in Hendon to Ballaghaderreen, Co. 

Roscommon fundraising for Motor 

Neurone Disease Ireland and to 

support Alzheimers Society. 

All our staff are given the 

option of having first aid 

and defibrillation training 

if they would like it. This 

doesn’t mean they have 

to become first aiders 

at work, but just equips 

them with some essential 

knowledge! 

Remembrance Day 

In November as every year, our lorries were wearing 

their poppies to remember the British and Irish who 

fought for our freedom in the World Wars. 

70 

www.odonovan.co.uk

GOAL Jersey Day 

We proudly supported GOAL Jersey 

Day raising funds for GOAL whose 

work delivers a wide range of 

humanitarian and development 

programmes to vulnerable 

communities, worldwide. 

Breast cancer awareness 

On Wear It Pink day in October we decked out our lorries in pink ribbons to show our support 

and raise awareness for breast cancer. 


71

www.odonovan.co.uk

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2019 Yearbook

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