Neil Duncan Biography

Operational Excellence and Industry Leadership

Driving Growth In Your Business

Success Through Solutions

Transforming Your Operations

Optimising for Efficiency

Delivering Trusted Expertise

Empowering Your Success

Neil Duncan is a seasoned leader and recognised authority in waste management transformation, with over 30 years of experience in driving operational excellence across both private and public sectors.

Known for his results-driven approach, Neil specialises in modernisation, turnaround, and operational optimisation, delivering exceptional performance improvements no matter the business challenges. He has led top-performing teams of up to 450 people and managed multi-million-pound budgets, achieving significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Delivering Transformative Change

Throughout his career, Neil has driven transformative change, including restructuring underperforming organisations, implementing innovative waste management strategies, and optimising workflows to save millions. Highlights include his leadership at North Lanarkshire Council, where he restructured services to save £3.2M and established a benchmark long-term waste strategy. At Clearwater, Neil spearheaded a commercial and operational transformation that increased revenue by millions, professionalised talent management, and positioned the company for successful growth.

Broad Expertise and Collaborative Leadership

As an authority in waste management transformation, Neil’s expertise spans risk assessment, compliance, accreditation, systems innovation, and equipment optimisation. His collaborative leadership style, coupled with a focus on integrity and fairness, has enabled him to build cohesive, high-performing teams. A passionate mentor and coach, Neil is committed to fostering talent, succession planning, and transferring knowledge to enhance organisations for years to come.

Education, Training, and Memberships

Neil’s qualifications and professional memberships underscore his deep commitment to excellence and continuous learning. His education includes:

  • Level 7 CMI Leadership & Strategy
  • Level 6 NVQ Occupational Health and Safety
  • Level 6 ILM Non-Executive Director Qualification
  • Level 3 NEBOSH Certificate Health & Safety

Neil is also a member of esteemed professional bodies, including:

  • Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM)
  • Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
  • Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
  • Chartered Institute of Managers (CMI)

These credentials, combined with his extensive experience, ensure that Neil is equipped to tackle complex challenges and deliver exceptional results.

A Vision for Sustainable Success

With an extensive network of industry leaders and specialists, Neil combines deep technical knowledge with a strategic vision, ensuring that businesses he supports achieve their goals efficiently and sustainably. Whether it’s driving operational excellence, navigating complex challenges, or mentoring future leaders, Neil is dedicated to delivering measurable success and lasting impact.

Neil Duncan

“Throughout my career, I have always strived to provide my customers with more than just solutions—I aim to deliver confidence, clarity, and measurable results. I believe in building strong, lasting partnerships founded on trust and a deep understanding of each client’s unique challenges. By combining strategic insight, practical expertise, and a relentless focus on quality, my goal has been to empower businesses to achieve their full potential, overcome obstacles, and thrive in an ever-changing environment. Whether through transformative operational improvements, expert guidance, or access to valuable industry networks, I am committed to making a lasting, positive impact on every organisation I work with.”

Neil Duncan