Recycling, Renewable Energy, Resource Efficiency

Viridor boss goes undercover

Posted 16 Aug 2010

Viridor, one of the UK’s largest recycling, waste management and renewable energy companies, is featuring in a new Channel 4 series, Undercover Boss.

In one of six episodes to air at primetime this summer, Chief Executive Colin Drummond will go incognito at Viridor sites across the UK, masquerading as an unemployed worker seeking employment in the waste sector. 

In the show, Colin learns about the effects his decisions have on Viridor workers and gets some valuable insight on where potential improvements can be made to a successful business. He also gets to see the good and the not-so-good and find out where problems may lie within the organisation, while discovering the unsung heroes who make Viridor work.

The UK companies featured are Best Western Hotels, the Jockey Club, Tower Hamlets Council, Harry Ramsden’s restaurants, Viridor (part of the FTSE 250 Pennon Group) and Crown Relocations (a global relocations company).  

It’s an emotional and empowering climax to each show as the boss explains the changes they want to make and the ways in which they want to show appreciation to the employees who’ve been doing such an outstanding job.

Colin Drummond, Viridor's Chief Executive, said: "This experience has been a real eye opener for me both professionally and personally. It’s exposed me to some of the things that we do really well, things we need to work on, and given me a full, rounded view of how the company works on a day to day basis.

"It was hard work, but also very gratifying to be welcomed and helped by my colleagues on site, and especially to hear some of their great ideas about how we can make our sites and services even better. Hopefully their enthusiasm, dedication and straight talking style will come across in the programme."

Viridor would like thank all their customers and partners for their cooperation on the sites and services that are featured in the programme. Special thanks go to Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority and West Sussex County Council.

The episode of Undercover Boss featuring Viridor will appear on Channel 4, Thursday 12 August at 9pm.

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