About Us

John Bayley

Managing Director

I started helping my dad with the family print business when I was a small child. But before formally joining the family business as an adult, I held various roles: hotel room cleaner, waiter, barman, manufacturing production worker, system software integrator… you name it, I did it. Then in 2005, I joined the print business as an operations manager, installing systems and automation for efficiency improvements.

In 2017, we reformed the business and became PermiServ, garden waste permit specialists. I’ll never forget the joy of that moment – we quickly dominated the garden waste permit niche and led the field.

As Managing Director, a huge part of my role is centred around finding people who are brilliant at what they do and supporting them in their work. I still remember vividly how tough the print business can be: thankless long hours, low margins, exacting standards, so re- establishing the business and becoming leaders in the garden waste industry gave us a real buzz. Asking customers exactly what they need, then going above and beyond to deliver for them – that’s when you know you’re heading in the right direction.

Louise Lambourne

Sales Director

I oversee sales across the business, consulting with local authorities as they transition to a chargeable garden waste service or improve their existing waste collection services. I also manage the delivery of our Better Waste Services Live event series and co-host two podcasts: Better Waste Services, in collaboration with Bartec Municipal Technologies MD Tim Hobbs, and the PermiServ podcast, newly launched in 2024.

What I love about my role is having the ability to create a platform that brings councils together, enabling them to share knowledge and drive innovation across the sector.

Polly Bird

Sales Manager

As Sales Manager, I develop sales strategies and work towards achieving company sales targets. My role involves building relationships with councils and team members, analysing sales data, and building relationships with clients to drive business growth.

Before joining PermiServ in 2023, I worked as a New Homes Sales Consultant, where I specialised in guiding clients through the process of purchasing new homes, from initial inquiry to final sale.

One of my personal highlights has been being part of the successful events we have held as part of our aim to bring councils together.I particularly enjoy the versatility of my role – helping councils and ensuring customers have an excellent journey and experience. The amazing team and proven leadership at PermiServ, combined with a commitment to excellent customer service, make it an incredible company to work for.

Rebecca Padgham

Account Manager

As an account manager, I support councils when they start the process for garden waste subscriptions each year, and assist them with enquiries throughout the year. When new councils sign up, I guide them through the onboarding process and provide training for their staff on our software.

Before joining PermiServ in 2020, I worked in fashion for a number of years then trained as a florist and ran my own floristry business.

My favourite aspect of my role is meeting with and talking to all the council teams – I really enjoy meeting our customers all over the country and being able to support them as they provide excellent services for their residents.

Megan Carson

Account Manager

My role entails getting our customers set up with us smoothly, providing training on our software and resolving any queries that arise. I also reach out to potential new customers to help them establish and streamline their chargeable garden waste services.

Before joining PermiServ in 2023, I worked in hospitality and retail, but I have definitely found my niche in account management and customer service.

The aspect of my role I love the most is how dynamic it is and the flexibility that comes with it. I’ve written articles on waste management, researched the waste industry, collected statistics and reached out to councils all over the UK. The variety of what I do is incredibly satisfying, and ultimately I love working with councils to ensure their services run seamlessly.

Steve Gardiner-Bristow

Sales Executive

I started out in entertainment, moved into retail and hospitality management, then joined PermiServ in 2022.

My role as Sales Executive involves supporting councils as they enhance and streamline their waste services using our software and print solutions. I thoroughly enjoy the different aspect of my role: directly supporting councils as they improve their services, organising community projects like litter picks, attending events and keeping up to date with what’s happening in the sector, and using my creative skills to research and write articles for our audiences of local councils and leading voices in the waste industry.

David Bennett

Lead Developer

As the lead developer, I drive feature development, maintain tools, and ensure the seamless operation of our servers through collaboration with our talented team.

Before I joined PermiServ 2018, I balanced freelance web development work with part-time jobs such as cleaning duties at a yacht club and handling supermarket tills.

Being part of the PermiServ team is hugely rewarding. We’ve steadily improved our garden waste permit management portal and built the commercial waste system from scratch. What stands out here is the team spirit and supportive ethos — not every workplace manages to make all its staff feel valued, but here, we truly succeed in that.

Jonathan Lawson

Lead Integration

In my role on the development team, I integrate 3rd party technologies with our proprietary permit solution and work closely with clients to ensure our product meets their needs. My day-to-day tasks involve collaborating with both our development team and our clients to enhance the functionality and user-friendliness of our services.

I've always had a passion for technology – before I joined PermiServ in 2018, I had taught myself programming as a hobby, and I worked with my self-employed father managing the digital administration side of his business, which helped to hone my skills in client support.

Working at PermiServ has given me plenty of room to grow and has always supported my professional development. The team is small and close-knit, which makes for a really collaborative and supportive environment.

Rich Cox

Head of Production

My role is focused on making sure the factory and printing process runs smoothly on a day- to-day basis. I started my career at a printer in Brixton called Label King – my first role there was as a rewinder packer, then I progressed to a print minder role and trained on a Gallus RB printing press.

I’ve always been excited by new printing machinery and methods to help improve and expand the work we do. When I joined Euro Label Printers in 1995, we were initially running a 3-colour Mark Andy printing press. With my input, we invested in a 5-colour press, enabling us to do more of the CMYK process. Later, we invested in a digital press and it’s still in production today, running our garden waste permit printing service.

Andy Ball

Print Director

In my role as Print Director, I’m responsible for preparing quotes, production planning and proofing. Before joining the business in 1996, I was a production engineer for various companies – Timex, EMI, Arrow Plastics and Seabourne Plastics.

Over the years, we’ve had many highlights, but I think what has given me the most satisfaction is the way we’ve grown and evolved into what we are now: a tight-knit company of permit experts who all enjoy working together and helping councils deliver their services.

Kerry Sloan

Print Production Manager

My role involves overseeing the printing and packing of permits, and making sure everything’s running smoothly. Before joining PermiServ in 2020, I was a senior night carer for people with dementia.

I enjoy our busy periods, when we’re getting new councils set up and ensuring permits reach residents seamlessly. It can be stressful, but I thrive on the challenge of it. Outside of work, a recent personal highlight for me has been becoming a nanny for the first time. PermiServ is a very flexible, family-friendly place to work, and our personal highlights are celebrated as much as our professional successes.

Ivelina Angelova

Management Accountant

As the Management Accountant, I record all sales, purchases, payments and month-end journals, as well as processing employees’ expenses, salaries and sorting any issues. I analyse monthly balance sheet accounts for management reporting, complete VAT returns and year-end accounts reconciliation, maintain the general ledger, and prepare monthly P&L and cash flow reports.

Prior to joining PermiServ in 2019, I was the assistant accountant at various businesses. Then between 2019 and 2022, my main project was completing AAT – and my next project is ACCA. What I love about my role here is the problem-solving element of it, as well as working with a friendly, welcoming team.