The UK Deposit Management Organisation, has brought in two new non-executive directors to boost its leadership experience from outside the drinks industry.
The not-for-profit industry-linked body will run the UK’s first deposit return scheme, due to launch in October 2027. It said the appointment of Juliet Sotnick and Lynda Heywood would add strength to its board as the plans “develop at pace”.
Sotnick brings over 25 years of sustainability, procurement and supply chain experience. Most recently, she worked as chief procurement officer at IHS Towers, one of the largest independent communications infrastructure companies.
Prior to that, she was chief procurement & supply chain officer and chief sustainability officer at Babcock International Group.
Sotnick has also worked in senior leadership positions at Sky and Bear Stearns & Co.
Heywood, who will chair the DMO’s audit, finance and risk committee, is a finance leader and treasurer with more than two decades of experience. She has held non-executive roles at Urban Logistics REIT and Atrato Partners, and served on boards across retail, insurance and property and also sat on the Tesco Pension Scheme’s investment and risk committee. She was a member of the Bank of England’s Money Markets Committee.
The appointments follow that of ex-DHL logistics boss Russell Davies as CEO last month.
Sotnick said: “The deposit return scheme can transform how we manage waste across the UK, preventing billions of cans and bottles from littering our countryside, rivers and beaches.
“I am looking forward to bringing this experience to bear with the passionate and committed team at UK DMO to deliver the best possible DRS for the UK.”
Heywood added: “I look forward to supporting the development of a scheme that is effective, efficient and delivers real value across the economy and environment.”
DMO chair John Bason said: “I’m delighted to welcome Juliet and Lynda to the UK DMO board. They bring deep experience across sustainability, procurement, finance and risk, and their appointments complement existing members by introducing independent perspectives from outside the drinks and retail sectors.”
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