MPA strengthens team to meet future challenges

Mineral Products Association announces new appointments as membership continues to grow

AS part of the Mineral Products Association (MPA)’s 10th anniversary in 2019 and in support of its vision for 2025, the Association has been strengthening its team and has announced the following appointments.

• Chris Leese, former vice-president at CEMEX UK, joins as director of UK Concrete and special adviser on health and safety. UK Concrete is a new campaigning vehicle which will be launched in the coming weeks to promote and defend the concrete industry with a focus on non-technical audiences and stakeholders.
• Phil Cox, formerly at GRS, Midland Quarry Products, Lafarge Tarmac and RMC, joins as director of British Precast.
• Neal Weston, formerly at Airlines UK and the Institution of Civil Engineers, succeeds Brian James as director of membership and regions.
• Dr Robert McIlveen, formerly at Royal Mail and Network Rail, succeeds Jerry McLaughlin as director of public affairs.
• Tony Entwistle, formerly at Sibelco and the construction industry, joins as health and safety manager, focusing on aggregates and non-cementitious products.
• Roger Griffiths joins as manager - innovation projects, working on innovation and R&D grant-funded projects related to energy and climate change.

MPA chief executive Nigel Jackson said: ‘In 2019, MPA celebrated its 10th anniversary and saw total membership continue to grow rapidly, further extending the Association’s representation to well in excess of 90% of total UK mineral product activity.

‘With the number of issues affecting the industry increasing and given the growing complexity and integration of issues driven by climate change and the availability and use of strategic resources, the industry has to ensure that it has the right skills and competences to respond to current and future challenges.

‘The new Government has made its intentions for the economy and environment clear and once we have left the EU, we should anticipate significant regulatory change. The MPA will continue to ensure that it is best able to represent the industry during this process and further changes in resourcing and structure are planned to ensure we remain ‘match fit’ for the next five and 10 years.’