Jonathan has been involved in the recycling container industry in the UK since the late 1980s. Since then he has pioneered the promotion of container systems for source separated waste, initially as a consultant to CG Paxton Limited which was then part of the McKechnie Group plc. In 1993, he formed Straight Recycling Systems which rapidly grew to be the UK’s leading supplier of kerbside recycling boxes. From a one man operation, the Company now employs more than 100 people.

Straight plc came from a ‘eureka’ moment which Jonathan had when he recognised that only 4% of the country’s waste was being recycled and he wanted to create a solution to solve the problem. Jonathan said: “Business now isn’t just about making money; there has to be a social or environmental purpose.” Straight plc was listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2003 and Jonathan discussed the pros and cons of being listed on AIM. Jonathan said: “You shouldn’t get too hung up on the value of a share price”. Jonathan described how being listed is like being married: “It’s very hard to get out of it and if you do it’s hard to get back in!”

After acquiring the business and assets of their main supplier a couple of years ago, Straight plc had to overcome major problems with the manufacturing plant to get it to the current position of a successful production unit.

Throughout Jonathan’s presentation came some ‘wise bites’ for entrepreneurs. These were:

• The most obvious place to look for something is sometimes the least likely place to find it
• It’s not about ownership, it’s about control
• The best appointments are made by word of mouth
• Always anticipate the worst
• Maybe there isn’t really a market
• It is much better to have a small piece of a valuable cake rather then a big cake which isn’t worth much

For details of the next Connect Gazelles Masterclass please visit the events calendar on our website.