Shanks Tom Drury Quits Post Over Commute

7 July 2011

Tom Drury, chief executive of waste management firm Shanks Group, has announced he will leave his post by the end of October this year in order to join Manchester-based asset management company Arrow Global

Tom Drury, chief executive of waste management firm Shanks Group

After more than four years at the Milton Keynes-based company, Drury has quit and will become chief executive at debt recovery firm Arrow Global in November.

Explaining his decision, Drury said the travelling and separation from his family had "taken its toll after a while". The chance to run privately owned Arrow Global, and also take a stake in the firm, proved too tempting to resist.

"We've got two kids, and the youngest is going to university this autumn," he said. "The choice was either for my wife to move, or for me to come back to Cheshire."

The journey from Knutsford to Milton Keynes is roughly 140 miles by road, with rail journeys taking upwards of two hours according to National Rail Inquiries.

Bon Voyage

Shanks' board wished him every success for the future and the company added that the search for Drury's replacement was underway and stressed there would be a "smooth transition" to his successor.

Adrian Auer, chairman of Shanks said: "We will be sorry to see Tom go, but respect his decision to work nearer to his home in Cheshire. We are grateful for the excellent job he has done for Shanks.

"Tom has set a compelling strategic direction for the business, with clear evidence in our recently reported results of delivery against this strategy. He will leave the business in very good shape. With the strength and experience of our Board and executive management team, I am very confident that Shanks will maintain its current growth momentum."

Darrel Moore