Phoenix Recycling Group has appointed Phil Hand as its new chief executive officer.
The company says Hand brings a wealth of knowledge from New Zealand and Australia’s manufacturing and primary industry sectors with complex supply chain management experience “and will be instrumental in driving Phoenix’s vision and growth strategy”.
His previous experience includes roles at the Tui Dairy Company, Mainland Products, Goodman Fielder and Bluebird Foods, where he spent a number of years as operations manager before moving to the Baking Division where he became MD for Baking NZ. In 2007, Hand moved to Tegel Foods as general manager (operations) and was appointed CEO and executive director in 2014.
From 2019 to 2023, he was CEO at Turosi in Australia, where he was instrumental in completing the merger between Turi Foods and OSI.
Hand says in a statement that it’s a privilege to lead Phoenix into its next phase of growth.
“Phoenix holds a unique and vital position in New Zealand’s recycling landscape, with a strong foundation in metal recycling and expanding ventures in battery and e-waste management. As global manufacturers intensify efforts to meet emissions targets, the recycling and recovery of critical raw materials will play a crucial role in fulfilling ESG obligations and, more importantly, in safeguarding our planet.”
Phil Hand
Grant Graham, chair of the Phoenix Board, says Hand is a seasoned performer “with a track record of taking businesses to the next level, he is a great fit for us”.
Outgoing CEO and the firm’s founder Eldon Reeve and chief sustainability officer Hilary West-Reeve will continue to be closely involved with the business, remaining 50% shareholders with their 50% partner ForthCo, transitioning into fractional executive roles and continuing their tenures on Phoenix’s board.
Reeve says Phoenix’s ongoing success now results in the need for an experienced CEO to lead a high performance team and execute the strategic growth trajectory.
“Hilary and I are proud to have built this business together with our team into a position of relevance for the New Zealand recycled materials industry. We set out to transform and professionalise recycling services to enable Kiwis to recycle challenging waste streams like batteries from anywhere in New Zealand,” he says.
