35 Under 35: Joe Robery, Divisional H&S Manager, Logistics
SUEZ recycling and recovery UK celebrates six of our emerging leaders named among the 2025 ’35 Under 35’ winners announced at the Resource and Waste Management Expo recently.
Over the next two weeks, we’re spotlighting each of our six 35 Under 35 winners (Dominic Cullip, Georgeeana Chinnock, Hannah Elliott, Jack Bishop, Joe Robery and Tadelayo Sodipe), sharing their stories and reflections in their own words as part of the next generation of leaders advocating for sustainable resources across the sector.
Joe Robery will be celebrating his 14th year with SUEZ in December. With more than a decade’s experience in the industry, Joe has worn several SUEZ hats over the years, gaining a deeper understanding of both the business and the wider industry.
For Joe, winning the ’35 Under 35’ award is a “recognition of collective effort more than anything else”. He said: “It’s great, but more than that, it’s really about the teams and people I’ve worked with along the way.”
Joe is not just a problem-solver at work, he was once a maths whiz too, coming 27th in a UK-wide junior maths challenge with more than 3,000 students when he was in Year 9. But as he puts it, the only Pi he uses now is Chicken and Mushroom!
Here are some of Joe’s reflections about his journey so far:
On the job
As a Divisional Health and Safety Manager at SUEZ UK, I look after H&S across logistics, including municipal, industrial and commercial operations, fleet workshops, integrated solutions and any processing connected to a municipal contract. No two days are the same, one day I might be on site supporting a team through a new process, the next working with managers on long-term strategy or audits. My team and I cover logistics nationally, so each day is a new challenge.
How it all began
I’ve been with SUEZ UK for 14 years this December. I started out on the frontline as a refuse operative, then a Supervisor all within Kensington & Chelsea, and have grown through different H&S roles to where I am today.
Purpose and motivation
What gives me a sense of purpose and motivation is the people I get to work with. I also get a lot of satisfaction from helping others grown, whether that’s supporting a new Manager/Supervisor or seeing my team’s confidence build after a successful change.
Proud moments
Most recently leading the health and safety mobilisation for the Southend & Mid-Kent contracts was a big one, as it brought together months of planning, teamwork and problem-solving. Knowing that we set hundreds of people up for Day 1 in a safe, organised way made it worth the effort.
Overcoming challenges
The most recent is the restructure, coming away from being regional to covering the country and now managing a team that stretch from Newcastle to Devon has been a real challenge, as well as leaving a settled team regionally. This year saw us working to settle the new team (all existing H&S department members plus one new member), ensuring regular meetings, setting out a standard and having face-to-face meetings with evenings out to build a strong relationship and making sure we work well together. We have to have some fun along the way!
It’s also challenging building relationships with new stakeholders and contracts across the country, but I think remaining approachable and building trust has helped with the change.
Words of advice
Be open-minded and get stuck in. The best learning comes from understanding the job on the ground and working with the people who do it every day.