2024 IQ and IAT Fellows’ Lunch

13 December, 2024

Senior quarrying and mineral products industry leaders, educators, and high-achieving students gathered at Birmingham Symphony Hall for the annual Institute of Quarrying (IQ) and Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT) Fellows’ Lunch and Student Awards

First published in the December 2024 issue of Quarry Management

Celebrating excellence and inspiring future leaders

On 8 November 2024, Birmingham Symphony Hall transformed into a hub of celebration, where senior quarrying and mineral products industry leaders, educators, and high-achieving students gathered for the annual Institute of Quarrying (IQ) and Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT) Fellows’ Lunch.

The event recognized outstanding students in mineral products and asphalt technology, studying at the University of Derby (UoD) Centre for Mineral Products. The courses delivered are developed by industry partners including IQ, IAT, the Concrete Society, Heavy Clay Technology Association (HCTa), and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA).

This year’s event had an expanded agenda, incorporating awards not only for academic excellence but also for dedicated community and educational outreach, presented by Minerals Matter. Through these recognitions, the event showcased the vitality and promise within the sector.

New IQ President Ben Williams giving his inaugural speech at the IQ and IAT Fellows’ Lunch

New IQ President – Ben Williams

The event saw the official handover of the IQ President role from Viv Russell to Ben Williams. Viv expressed his delight to be able to pass the baton to Ben’s safe pair of hands, after his two-year tenure, as well as his congratulations to all the award winners.

In his inaugural President’s speech, Ben thanked Viv for his inspirational and far-reaching contributions to the sector throughout his career, including Viv’s vision and hard work for the development of the National Stone Centre as a centre of excellence for the industry. Ben also personally thanked Viv for his wise advice and long-term support. He stressed that it is an honour to be IQ President and that the award winners demonstrate the talent within the sector and point to a more diverse and inclusive future for the sector.

A platform of recognition and partnership

Gearoid Lohan, IAT President, opened the awards by acknowledging the strength of the collaboration between IQ and IAT and the important role that professional membership bodies have in advancing the industry for the benefit of everyone. He remarked: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go further, go together. It is a pleasure to once again come together to celebrate the future leaders of our industries.’

Ben Williams FIQ, IQ President, echoed these sentiments, expressing pride in the partnership between IQ and IAT. He said: ‘We are delighted to have once again co-hosted the Student Awards with the Institute of Asphalt Technology, strengthening our close, cross-sector partnership and promoting talent development within our industries. Each award recipient has demonstrated outstanding dedication, achieving exceptional results in their studies at the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products.’

Both Gearoid and Ben highlighted the unifying power of the event in bridging education, industry, and professional bodies, celebrating the event’s role in supporting a shared vision: developing a robust and skilled workforce that will carry the mineral products industry forward.

IQ Student Award winners. Back row (L-R): Jordan Eccles, Lewis Malone, John Bright, Adam Baker; Front row (L-R): Gregg Loan, Haydn Griffiths, Sallie Antill

2024 IQ Student Award winners

This year’s IQ award recipients came from a variety of roles within the mineral products sector, demonstrating the broad applicability and impact of IQ’s programmes:

Adam Baker TMIQ, technical sales and support at Tarmac, won the Goodwin Barsby Award for Best Honours Student. His commitment and academic performance exemplified the event’s ethos of rewarding excellence.

Haydn Griffiths MIQ, quarry manager at Heidelberg Materials, was presented with the Reginald W Coles Prize for Best Overall Mineral Extractives Foundation Degree Student, a testament to his technical proficiency and leadership.

Daniel Penny, a higher apprentice at Aggregate Industries UK, received the Ransomes Rapier Award for Best Mineral Extractives Higher Apprentice, honouring his dedication to balancing professional duties with academic pursuits.

Sallie Antill MIQ, principal engineer at Aberdeenshire Council, took home the Peter Preston Award UK, awarded to the Best UK Diploma Student. Her achievements demonstrate the pathway to excellence for diploma students in the industry.

Ronan Veale TMIQ (absent), development director at Carroll Quarries Ltd, received the Peter Preston Award International, given to the Best International Diploma Student.

John Bright TMIQ, operations manager at Tarmac, and Greg Loan, quarry manager at Breedon, were awarded the Longcliffe Calcium Carbonates Awards of Excellence as the Best Performing Mineral Extractives Foundation Degree Students for Years One and Two, respectively.

Jordan Eccles MIQ, assistant quarry manager at Tarmac, received the Scottish Springbank Quaich Award for Best Third Year Foundation Degree Student.

Joseph Rennocks TMIQ (absent), assistant production manager at Aggregate Industries UK, earned the EPC-UK Blasting Award, a new award recognizing his outstanding performance in blasting operations.

The achievements of these IQ awardees reflect a mix of technical skill, leadership potential, and academic dedication, underscoring the value of formal education in advancing careers within the mineral products sector.

IAT Student Award winners. Back row (L-R): Alistair Burgess, David Gibson, Kieran Watson, Emma Green; Front row (L-R): Zahed Rahman, Craig Long

2024 IAT Student Award winners

The IAT Student Awards recognized the following achievers in asphalt technology:

Kieran Watson and Paula Millward, both from Aggregate Industries, received joint first place for Best Overall Third Year Foundation Degree, showcasing the commitment of Aggregate Industries in nurturing talent.

Christopher Potter and Craig Long were recognized in second and third places, respectively, as top performers in their foundation degree courses.

David Gibson won Best Overall Second Year Foundation Degree, whilst Zahed Rahman received recognition for Best Overall First Year Foundation Degree.

Emma Green took home the Best Asphalt Diploma Student Award as well as the Worshipful Company of Paviors Award, highlighting her expertise in contracts, business management, and operations.

Alistair Burgess was awarded the Best Higher Apprentice Award, sponsored by FM Conway, for his accomplishments and dedication.

Chris Rowan (left) receiving his Long Service Medal from IQ President Ben Williams

Long Service Medal – Chris Rowan, University of Derby

A poignant moment of the 2024 Fellows’ Lunch was the recognition of Chris Rowan, a senior lecturer at the University of Derby’s Centre for Mineral Products. His long career in the mineral products industry has provided a depth of experience for him to draw on as an educator. His achievements were celebrated with the presentation of a Long Service Medal, an accolade that was warmly received with Chris getting a standing ovation. In presenting the honour, it underscores the critical role of educators in shaping industry standards and nurturing the next generation.

Minerals Matter Ambassador Awards (L-R): Hannah Higley, future careers manager, Minerals Matter; Linzi McDade, Breedon Group; Steph Kendrick, Aggregate Industries; Ethel Diamond, Heidelberg Materials UK; Ian Cross, Minerals Matter ambassador; Lisa Saunders, Minerals Matter consultant

Minerals Matter: Inaugural awards for outreach excellence

This year’s event marked the debut of the Minerals Matter Ambassador Awards. Created by the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC), these awards recognize outreach efforts by individuals and companies who actively engage and inspire young people about career opportunities within the mineral products industry:

Linzi McDade, geology manager at Breedon, received the School Outreach Award for her extensive work in reaching more than 1,300 students through STEM activities and site tours.

Hazen Bowskill, quarry operations manager at Aggregate Industries, was honoured with the Community Outreach Award for his involvement in various community-based educational programs, reaching more than 2,500 students.

Heidelberg Materials UK earned the Company Commitment Award for their comprehensive outreach, contributing more than 178 volunteer hours across 47 activities aimed at educating youth on industry careers.

The addition of these awards reflects a strategic focus on recruitment, diversity, and community engagement, acknowledging the industry’s commitment to fostering a new generation of skilled professionals.

Hannah Higley, future careers co-ordinator at Minerals Matter, shared her thoughts on the significance of these awards, stating: ‘With more than 95 Minerals Matter ambassadors now engaged with young people and the education sector, we can inform the next generation about the wealth of career opportunities there are and how their career aspirations are so well fulfilled by our sector.’

A broader impact

The 2024 IQ and IAT Fellows’ Lunch served as more than an awards ceremony; it reflected the mineral products and asphalt sectors’ dedication to ongoing professional development and education. By recognizing academic achievement, practical excellence, and outreach dedication, the event reinforced the importance of a well-rounded approach to career growth within these fields.

The IQ and IAT Fellows’ Lunch also highlighted the sector’s collaborative nature, where associations and educational institutions work in concert to support students and industry professionals. This holistic approach not only advances technical skills, but also builds a network of support for young professionals, fostering resilience and long-term career success.

Looking forward, the commitment of these professional bodies to their students, professionals, and communities promises a bright future for the mineral products industry. The 2024 IQ and IAT Fellows’ Lunch stands as a powerful testament to this enduring dedication, symbolizing an industry that thrives through its investment in both people and education.

James Thorne, chief executive officer of the Institute of Quarrying, summarized: ‘The Fellows’ Lunch and Student Awards is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of individuals and recognize the contributions that so many make in raising the standards of the mineral products sector. An important aspect of belonging to a professional membership body is being able to bring people together from across the industry to forge their own professional relationships and networks. By collaborating with others across the sector, we ensure support for our members in developing safe, healthy, and fulfilling careers and are excited to see what is next for the 2025 student award winners.’