REA welcomes new chair and new council members

Mark Stott of BituChem succeeds Sommerville Wright as chair of the Road Emulsion Association

THE Road Emulsion Association (REA), which represents UK bitumen emulsion manufacturing businesses, has announced a new chair and new council members. Mark Stott, director of BituChem, will take over as chair from Sommerville Wright following his retirement after 40 years’ service in industry.

Mr Stott, who will remain in post until March 2027, said: ‘I joined the REA council in December 2020. It’s great to be able to make a genuine contribution to the well-being of our member organizations and collaborate with other like-minded associations in making a real change for the good.

‘In my two-and-a-half-year tenure as chair, I hope to see the fruition of our ‘Future-Proofing our Local Roads’ initiative – an increase in the use of surface dressing resulting in fewer potholes on our local networks.’

Sommerville Wright, associate director of Colas, joined the REA council in 2020 and became chair in March 2024. He said: ‘I am proud to have been a member of the REA council for the last four years. And this year, it was a real honour to take over as chair.

‘Organizations like the REA are a vital part of our industry – representing businesses, championing best practice, and continuously striving for excellence. I am pleased to be handing over to Mark Stott who I know will steer the REA in the right direction for the next few years.’

David Jobling Purser, director of Jobling-Purser, has stepped up as vice-chair and will take over as chair in 2028 – the REA’s centenary year. He said: ‘Jobling Purser have a longstanding and proud relationship with the REA, and it’s a tremendous honour to prepare for taking on this role as we approach such a significant milestone.’

Lee Draper, head of bituminous emulsions at Colas, has rejoined the council representing Colas, whilst Bernard Hodgkinson has joined the council to represent Kier Highways Solutions.