Jonathan Straight, Entrepreneur In Residence at Connect Gazelles

Jonathan Straight is a pioneer of recycling in the UK and former Chief Executive of Straight plc.

Jonathan has grown the company from a one man operation into the UK’s leading supplier of kerbside recycling containers with an annual turnover of £30M.Whilst volunteering at a Leeds recycling charity Jonathan found a taste for the industry.

He began working in the container business, initially as a consultant to the McKechie Group plc, before establishing his own company in 1993 supplying container solutions for separated waste.

Following 10 years of sustained growth Straight joined the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market with a view to fuelling further growth. Straight plc has supplied more than 25 million kerbside boxes, baskets and cadies to local authorities across the UK and has rapidly growing international operations. The company made two acquisitions that changed its business model, allowing it to manufacture almost two thirds of its products and reduce its reliance on outsourced manufacture.

In 2014 an offer was received for Straight plc and Jonathan sold his shares and left the company. Jonathan is now pursuing new business interests.