Bristol Waste issues statement on sudden departure of two top bosses

The city council’s Bristol Waste firm has parted company suddenly with its two top bosses, it has been revealed.

Managing director Tony Lawless and his deputy, finance director Adam Henshaw, both resigned on the same day, July 18, according to records at Companies House.

The reasons for their sudden departure have not been disclosed but Tory Cllr Jonathan Hucker told a meeting of the audit committee on Tuesday, July 26, it had happened “at short notice”.

Mr Lawless had led the authority’s wholly owned waste and recycling business since April 2018, for more than half of its existence.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the company and the city council why the pair had left and whether any exit payments had been made.

Instead, Bristol Waste sent the following statement from Bristol Waste chair Elaine Holt: “We’re pleased to introduce our new interim managing director, Jason Eldridge, who is stepping up from operations director.

“Tony Lawless, who has made a great contribution to the company and led the organisation through unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic and implemented significant service enhancements, has stepped down.

“Chris Holme will take the position of finance and strategy director, taking over from Adam Henshaw who has left the business to be free to pursue other opportunities.

“Adam made a significant and valuable contribution to the company during his tenure.

“We’d like to thank them both for their contribution to Bristol Waste and wish them well for the future.”

According to the council’s recently published draft accounts, Mr Lawless was paid a £126,586 salary in 2021/22 while Mr Henshaw received £114,827.

Including employer’s pension contributions, the pair’s remuneration packages together topped £265,000.