People: Reconomy; Savills; Sanderson Weatherall

Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist, has named Rakhshan Zahid as chief executive of its Re-use loop.

With a career spanning e-commerce and financial services, Zahid brings extensive expertise in driving strategic growth, operational excellence and innovation.

Over her ten years at Amazon, she has held leadership roles in fashion, grocery and marketplace businesses, most recently leading the fashion accessories business across Europe.

She succeeds Claire Webb who will continue in the business throughout this transition as executive chair.

Before her role as executive chair, Webb was CEO and managing director of Advanced Supply Chain for five years and led the business through its acquisition by Reconomy in 2021.

Since she was appointed Re-use executive chair, Webb has played a crucial role in the growth and success of Reconomy’s Re-use loop, including bringing together the leadership teams of ReBound and Advanced Supply Chain to facilitate closer collaboration, realise operational synergies and establish a market-leading global end-to-end returns offer.

She also led the business to open a facility in Nettetal, Germany to become a European superhub for returns and established the business’ Retail Ready service in Europe.

Guy Wakeley, chief executive at Reconomy said: “Reconomy’s Re-use loop is one of our key divisions and counts many of the most successful, fast-growing retailers and ecommerce brands as customers. There’s a significant opportunity for the businesses we partner with to benefit from our global sustainable, omnichannel pre-retail and returns experience as they move towards more circular supply chains. We’re delighted to welcome Rakhshan who brings an impressive track record and considerable experience of significantly scaling retail businesses, which will prove invaluable as we embark on the next phase of growth for Re-use.

“We are extremely grateful for Claire’s outstanding contributions to both Advanced Supply Chain during her tenure as CEO, which played a crucial part in the business’ growth and success, and more recently to Reconomy as Executive Chair for the Re-use loop.”

Zahid said: “Advanced Supply Chain and ReBound have excellent teams and ambitious plans. It’s an extremely exciting time to be part of Reconomy and the sectors we support, and I look forward to working with the teams to build upon the great work already done to deliver the benefits of our combined strengths and unmatched offer. We are committed to providing exceptional service and innovative supply chain tech solutions to our long-held and newly won customers, as well as expanding our client base in the UK, Europe and the US.”

Claire Webb, Exec Chair said: “I’ve loved being part of Advanced Supply Chain’s and the Re-use loop’s growth journey. We have built a fantastic team and developed market-leading technology. Rakhshan is the perfect appointment to continue to develop this further – I look forward to working with her on this transition and wish her every success in her new role.”

Joe Dance has joined Savills as a director strategic ecologist within the Natural Capital team.

In this national role, he will primarily support clients in meeting their Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, address habitat loss, and realise opportunities that Local Nature Recovery Strategies will bring.

Joe Dance

Based in the Birmingham office, Dance joined Savills from Tyler Grange where he was regional ecology director.

Last year he won the national CIRIA 2024 Biodiversity Champion Award, which recognises an individual who went the extra mile to enhance biodiversity.

Dance said: “I’m thrilled to join Savills and be a part of such a successful team. I’m looking forward to bringing the knowledge and experience I have to further enrich our environmental impact services.”

Jon Dearsley, head of Savills natural capital, said: “We are delighted to welcome Joe to our first ecology-focused role. Our clients recognise the importance of actively engaging in environmental matters when unlocking value in all its forms from land and property. Joe’s appointment will give us deeper knowledge in this rapidly developing space.”

Property Consultancy Sanderson Weatherall has appointed Rebecca Welch as a partner within its alternative markets team.

Joining Philip Waite, head of alternative markets, Welch will develop and expand Sanderson Weatherall’s presence in the education, healthcare and leisure sectors.

Philip Waite and Rebecca Welch

Based in the firm’s Birmingham office, she will also help drive the growth of valuation work across the West Midlands.

Welch brings 24 years of experience as a Chartered Surveyor to Sanderson Weatherall.

Her expertise encompasses a wide range of valuation disciplines, including probate, trading, and DRC asset valuations, as well as agency and broader consultancy services.

Philip Waite, head of alternative markets said: “Rebecca’s appointment is a crucial step in our strategy to expand our Alternative Markets team. Having previously worked with Rebecca at Aitchison Raffety, I am confident that her expertise and talent will be instrumental in our continued national growth.”

Welch said: “I am very excited to join Sanderson Weatherall and contribute to the firm’s success in the Education, Healthcare, and Leisure sectors. I look forward to expanding our client base both regionally and nationally and playing a key role in the ongoing growth of the Alternative Markets team.”