Encyclis has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive as the business begins a new phase of its growth journey. The company’s inaugural CEO, Owen Michaelson, is handing over to current Chair Mark Burrows Smith, who will take on the responsibilities of CEO from the 1^st August 2025 as part of a leadership reorganisation to support the business as it completes its transition to full operations.

The changes will see Liz Barber, the current Senior Independent Director of Encyclis, take over as Chair. Owen Michaelson will continue to support  the business during a hand-over period, and has agreed to become an industrial advisor to EQT, Encyclis’ owner. Owen Michaelson said:

It is almost seven years since I first joined the company as a Non-Executive Director of Covanta when it was still listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  During this period, we have taken the European business from a development opportunity to one of the largest owners and operators of modern Energy-from-Waste facilities in the UK and Ireland. We have also established Encyclis as the UK market leader for carbon capture in Energy-from-Waste, and one of the very few EFW operators who have proactively invested in IBA processing and metals recycling. It is now time to hand over the CEO responsibilities to Mark, who has an almost unique knowledge and experience of the British and European waste and resource sector, to lead the business. It has been a huge privilege to create and lead the team that has built the business to where it is today.”

As incoming CEO, Mark Burrows Smith said: “It has been a pleasure to Chair the Encyclis business through a period of rapid growth and technical innovation. The business is now becoming fully operational, and the time is right for the management transition announced today. Encyclis has an exciting future, not just in operating the Energy-from-Waste facilities, but also being first in establishing carbon capture at scale as part of the wider decarbonisation agenda. Thanks must go to Owen developing a significant business, and I inherit an excellent team committed to the challenges ahead.”

In her capacity of incoming Chair, Liz Barber said: “I look forward to working with Mark, who as Chair, led the Board so effectively through many complex and novel development and commercial decisions. The business is now at a point of change, and Owen is to be thanked and congratulated for his efforts and achievements as he stands back from Encyclis.”