Aluminium Allies
Our Purpose
About Aluminium Allies
The Allies provide a visible, peer-led platform for early and mid-career professionals who want to play an active role in shaping the future of our sector. This is not about age, but about attitude: it is for anyone eager to grow, lead, and champion progress in areas such as sustainability, recycling, trade, policy, manufacturing, and innovation.
Why Aluminium Allies?
The initiative was created to:
- Bring visibility and recognition to emerging talent across the UK aluminium sector.
- Build meaningful cross-sector connections through peer learning, networking, and mentoring.
- Support new voices in contributing to ALFED’s strategic priorities and policy engagement.
- Strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the industry by developing its people.
In short, Aluminium Allies exists to showcase fresh perspectives, support new entrants, and create a collaborative, inclusive future for aluminium.
Meet the Aluminium Allies
Lucy Thomas
- 8 years at Norsk Hydro
- Background in scrap purchasing, yard operations, and raw materials inspection
- Holds a degree in International Business Economics (University of Manchester) and an Executive MBA (Cardiff Met)
- Board member of Women in Recycling
Andy Smith
- 12+ years in the metals industry
- Experience in finance, accounting, digital transformation, and operations
- Focuses on strategic purchasing and continuous improvement
- Supports newcomers and talent development in the industry
Ellie Beckenham
- Entered the metals industry in 2021
- Previously worked at Servosteel and Acerinox
- Focuses on supply chain analysis, carbon emissions, and CBAM policies
- Enjoys travel, netball, and crafting
Summer Connolley
- Third-generation in the metal recycling industry
- Experience in admin, HR, sales, exports, and compliance
- Manages export contracts and sales ledger
- Board member of Women in Recycling, advocates for female representation
Josh Brough
- Chair of the Young Traders Group, Bureau of International Recycling
- 15+ years in aluminium scrap and secondary aluminium
- Focus on sustainability, carbon neutrality, and environmental compliance
- Holds an MSc in Real Estate
- Passionate about mentoring and promoting careers in the recycling industry
Meet our Partners
- Lead visibility campaigns to highlight diverse perspectives across the sector.
- Join events, site visits and roundtables, building connections and sharing experiences.
- Contribute to policy consultations and industry discussions.
- Support the next generation through mentoring and judging ALFED’s Apprentice of the Year Award.
- Feed directly into ALFED’s strategic priorities, ensuring future leaders have a voice at the table.
- A New Starter Toolkit for those joining the aluminium sector.
- Access to dedicated training resources tailored to industry skills and development.
- A new platform to showcase job opportunities, alongside information on partners who can support career progression, mentoring and professional development.
What the Aluminium Allies Do
Over the coming months, the Allies will:
Building Resources for the Next Generation
Alongside visibility and engagement, with the help of the Aluminium Allies, ALFED will be helping to design and launch new resources to support people at all stages of their career.
Planned initiatives include:
These resources will help ensure that talent entering the sector is supported from the outset and has the tools to build a long-term career.
Recent Highlights
We are proud that Josh Brough of JBMI Group Ltd represented the Aluminium Allies at the recent UK Metals Expo, joining an inspiring panel on mentoring alongside leaders from Professional Polishing Services, Women With Metal, Marshall Harmony, and IOM3.
Josh spoke passionately about networking, communication, and finding your voice – values at the heart of the Aluminium Allies.
The Expo also gave the Allies the chance to connect with new peers and raise visibility for the initiative across the wider metals sector.
Next Steps
Aluminium Allies have an ambitious programme of activity ahead:
- Judging panel participation for ALFED’s Apprentice of the Year Award.
- A “Meet the Allies” campaign to introduce the first cohort of professionals.
- Networking sessions at ALFED’s Business Briefing and Dinner in November.
- A growing programme of site visits, workshops, and showcase panels into 2026.
The long-term vision is to create a sustainable, visible structure where emerging talent not only develops their careers but also contributes directly to industry-wide progress.
Get Involved
If your organisation would like to:
- Nominate a colleague to join Aluminium Allies,
- Support an upcoming event, or
- Simply learn more about the programme,
please contact the ALFED team.
Together, we can support a new generation of leaders who are connected, confident, and ready to take the aluminium industry forward.