Ian Wakelin

Ian Wakelin was named as the new chief executive of Biffa from August 18 2010 and was then "tasked with overseeing the merger of the two companies after Biffa confirmed its owners' purchase of Greenstar UK has been completed.

"Ian Wakelin, who founded Greenstar UK in 2001, has been named as new chief executive of BiffaMr Wakelin has had a long involvement in the waste sector and was chief executive of Materials Recovery Ltd in 2001 which was later to become Greenstar UK. He had been tipped to be appointed as chief executive of the newly-expanded Biffa ever since the proposed sale of Greenstar UK to Biffa's private equity owners for £135 million was announced in June 2010 (see letsrecycle.com story).

"He takes over the post from Mark Keough, who was appointed as Biffa's interim chief executive in May 2010, when Andre Horbach stepped down after just two years in the role (see letsrecycle.com story (see letsrecycle.com story).

"Mr Keough, who is a director of one of Biffa's co-owners, Montagu Private Equity Associates, will continue to work as an advisor with Mr Wakelin and the rest of the senior management team of Biffa to develop a new plan for the combined business."