A WASTE management and recycling company has appointed its first group operations director.

Steve Barker has moved to Yorwaste from the quarry industry where he spent the last 12 years working in various operational management roles, latterly for Lafarge Aggregates Ltd.

Prior to working in the quarry industry, the 40-year-old worked as an engineer in the international oil and gas sector.

Mr Barker, who lives in Harrogate with his wife and two children, will be responsible for leading and developing all of Yorwaste's operations, including its waste and recycling sites and vehicle fleet.

He said: "I didn't hesitate when I was offered this exciting new role and I am looking forward to helping Yorwaste meet its strategic business objectives.

"It is a new challenge and one that I relish. There are clear similarities between the quarry and waste industries in relation to areas such as health and safety management, customer service and operational efficiency, so my operational background will stand me in good stead."

Steve Grieve, managing director of Yorwaste, said: "We are very pleased to have been able to attract someone of Steve's calibre to Yorwaste and he will play an important role in the growth of the business."