UK: The World Cement Association (WCA) has appointed Wei Rushan as its president. He succeeds founding president Song Zhiping in the post.

Wei has been the president and executive director of CNBM since late 2022, having had a range of senior roles within CNBM Group over the last 15 years. He obtained a doctoral degree in political economy from the School of Economics of Renmin University of China in 2007. Wei also serves as president of China Building Materials Engineering Construction Association.

UK: James Thorne has been appointed as the joint-head of the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) and The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) with effect from December 2023. He has been the chief executive officer (CEO) of IQ since 2017. He takes over the new joint-position following the retirement of the MPQC‘s current CEO Viv Russell.

The appointment of a joint-head of both organisations marks a long-standing collaboration between the two membership organisations. The MPQC and the IQ signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022 to work together to increase the value of membership services within the mineral products sector and further develop partnerships with other sectors, industries, and government bodies. This also supports the strategy to develop the National Stone Centre as an international centre of excellence for the mineral products industry.

Established in 1983, the MPQC is a 'not for profit' membership organisation whose purpose is to fulfil the extractive sector's need for a safe, competent and sustainable workforce through the setting and maintaining of standards and qualifications, ensuring quality training and assessment.

The IQ is the professional membership body for quarrying, and the related mineral products extractive and processing industries, with a worldwide membership of more than 5500 individuals.

Saudi Arabia: The board of directors of Umm Al-Qura Cement Company has appointed Mohamed Fadl Kamel Al-Hawi as its interim chief executive officer. Previous company head Majid Tarik Gharbawi resigned in August 2023 with effect from mid-October 2023.

Mohammad Al-Hawi holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. His cement industry experience spans over 30 years, including his role as plant manager of the Umm Al-Qura Cement Company plant.

Denmark: FLSmidth has appointed Christopher Ashworth as the president of its Cement division. He succeeds Asger Lauritsen, who left the post in August 2023. Group chief financial officer Roland M Andersen has acted as the interim president of FLSmidth Cement in the intervening period. Ashworth was previously the vice president and managing director of Eurotherm, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric. Prior to this he worked for Invensys and Wonderware.