As First Mile enters its next phase of growth, Founder Bruce Bratley and newly appointed CEO Susan Davy share their perspectives on the leadership transition, what it means for customers, and how the business will continue to scale while staying true to its purpose.

Part 1: Growth, leadership and direction


Why is First Mile making this leadership transition now?

Bruce: First Mile has reached a really exciting stage. We’ve built a strong, resilient business with a clear mission and loyal customer base. This transition is about preparing for the next phase — scaling what we do, reaching more businesses, and continuing to innovate.

Susan: It’s a natural evolution. The fundamentals are strong, and the opportunity ahead is significant. My role is to help accelerate that growth — expanding our reach while maintaining the quality and service our customers expect.

Bruce, what will your role be going forward?

Bruce: I remain fully committed as Founder. I’ll be focusing on long-term strategy — particularly growth opportunities such as partnerships and M&A — and continuing to support our sustainability mission.

Susan: Bruce’s vision and entrepreneurial drive are a huge asset. Having that continuity alongside a focused operational leadership model puts us in a strong position.

Susan, what will be your immediate priorities as CEO?

Susan: First and foremost, it’s about customers — ensuring we consistently deliver a high-quality, reliable service. Alongside that, I’ll be focused on strengthening performance, supporting our teams, and scaling the business in a disciplined way.

You’ll see me spending time with customers and frontline teams to really understand what’s working and where we can go further.

Part 2: What This Means for Customers


Will customers see any changes to service or offering?

Susan: No — and that’s important. Our focus is on building on what already works well. Customers should expect the same high standards, with continued improvements in consistency, innovation, and service delivery over time.

Bruce: If anything, this transition allows us to invest even more into improving the customer experience as we grow.

Does this signal a shift in strategy?

Bruce: Not at all. The strategy remains consistent — making it easier for businesses to do the right thing environmentally, while delivering great service.

Susan: Exactly. We’re not changing direction — we’re accelerating. That means scaling our operations, enhancing our capabilities, and continuing to lead in sustainable waste and recycling solutions.

Part 3: Purpose & Sustainability

How does this change impact First Mile’s mission?

Susan: It doesn’t change — it strengthens it. I’ve spent my career in environmental infrastructure, across water and waste, so I deeply understand the importance of delivering services that are both commercially effective and environmentally responsible.

Bruce: Our mission has always been clear: to provide services that are good for the planet and good for business. That remains at the heart of everything we do.

Susan, what experience do you bring in sustainability and environmental services?

Susan: I’ve worked in environmental infrastructure for over 30 years. At Viridor, I led major investment programmes in waste infrastructure, including energy recovery and plastics recycling. Later, as CEO of Pennon, I focused heavily on ESG — from raising over £2bn in green financing to driving progress on net zero, biodiversity, and community initiatives.

What ties all of that together is a belief that businesses like First Mile can play a critical role in building a more sustainable future — while delivering real value to customers.

There has been some media attention around your previous role — how do you respond?

Susan: The scrutiny reflects broader challenges within the water sector — particularly ageing infrastructure and the need for significant long-term investment. During my time, we made important progress, including improving monitoring and securing major investment commitments.

Those experiences have been valuable — they’ve reinforced the importance of transparency, long-term thinking, and delivering for both customers and the environment.

Bruce: And that experience is highly relevant to First Mile as we continue to grow responsibly and sustainably.

Part 4: Looking Ahead

What excites you most about the future of First Mile?

Bruce: The scale of the opportunity. More businesses than ever are looking for sustainable solutions, and we’re in a great position to meet that demand.

Susan: For me, it’s the combination of purpose and growth. We have the chance to build something that delivers real environmental impact at scale — while continuing to innovate and provide excellent service to our customers.

Together, Bruce and Susan’s partnership reflects a balance of continuity and momentum — ensuring First Mile remains focused on delivering for customers, scaling responsibly, and staying true to its mission.