Russell Davies appointed CEO of UK Deposit Management Organisation

The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO), the not-for-profit body responsible for operating the Deposit Return Scheme across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, has appointed Russell Davies as its Chief Executive Officer.

Davies brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in logistics, supply chain management and commercial strategy. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer for North Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Hillebrand Gori, a DHL company specialising in beverage logistics, where he managed operations across multiple international markets.

At Hillebrand Gori, Davies oversaw the movement of wine, beer and spirits globally, with a focus on technology implementation and low-carbon transport solutions in the supply chain. His earlier career included senior positions at GKN Automotive, DHL Freight UK and Savoye, with experience in logistics automation and network management.

Davies will formally take up the role on 5 January 2026. He will lead the DMO in preparing operational systems ahead of the scheme's October 2027 launch (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deposit-return-scheme-drinks-producer-and-re...). In the coming months, the organisation will finalise its operational blueprint, consult on the Retail Handling Fee and Producer Fee structures, and identify logistics, collection and recycling partners.

Scheme preparation underway

"It's an honour to join UK DMO at such a pivotal moment," said Davies. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a scheme that works for business, for consumers and for the environment – a system that changes how the UK manages packaging and recycling."

He added: "I've spent my career building and leading commercial operations at scale, and I know success depends on clarity, collaboration and execution. My focus now is on delivery – making sure the DMO has the capability, partnerships and momentum to make this scheme a success."

The UK DMO has published its Reverse Vending Machine specification, established its headquarters in Milton Keynes, and is expanding its leadership team. The organisation was appointed as the scheme operator in May 2025.

John Bason, Chair of the UK DMO Board, said: "We're delighted to welcome Russell to the DMO. His appointment marks another important step forward as we strengthen our leadership team and accelerate preparations for delivery. Russell brings extensive experience in managing complex operational networks and working across business and government to achieve large-scale change."

Scheme scope and targets

The Deposit Return Scheme will cover drinks containers made from PET plastic, steel and aluminium between 150 ml and 3 litres. The scheme aims to reduce litter and increase recycling rates for drinks containers.

Consumers will pay a refundable deposit when purchasing drinks in eligible containers, which can be reclaimed when empty containers are returned to designated collection points. The DMO will be responsible for managing producer registration, coordinating the return point network, and overseeing the scheme's financial operations.

The government expects the scheme to reach a collection target of 90 per cent by the third year of operation.

An estimated 6.5 billion drinks containers are discarded each year across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to government data (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-clean-up-communities-wi...). The scheme will require retailers to host return points and charge deposits, with the DMO setting the deposit fee before launch.