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India: Dalmia Bharat CEO and managing director Mahendra Singhi will continue to serve as president of the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), a role to which he was previously appointed in December 2018. Signhi said, “Indian cement is working on low carbon technology map and remaining fully sustainable. I look forward to making 2020 an even more prolific year.” The Indian Express has reported that the new CMA vice president will be LafargeHolcim subsidiary ACC CEO and managing director Neeraj Akhouri.

Ireland: CRH has appointed Shaun Kelly as a non-executive director and chairman of the Audit Committee.

Kelly, aged 60 years, a dual Irish and US citizen, was the Global Chief Operating Officer of KPMG International until September 2019, where he was responsible for the execution of the firm’s global strategy and for the delivery of various global initiatives. Over a 30-year career with KPMG, the majority of which was spent in the US, he held a variety of roles, including Partner in Charge, US Transaction Services (2001 - 2005), Vice Chair and Head of US Tax (2005 - 2010) and Vice Chair Operations and Chief Operating Officer Americas (2010 - 2015), before his appointment as Global Chief Operating Officer in 2015.

Kelly is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, a US Certified Public Accountant and graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma in Professional Accounting. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast.

Denmark: FLSmidth’s chief financial officer (CFO) Lars Vestergaard has agreed with the board of directors to resign from the company, effective immediately. FLSmidth has stated as the reason for the change a need for ‘a different set of competences to strengthen our organisation and execute long-term financial targets.’ It thanked Vestergaard for his commitment and dedication in helping FLSmidth achieve milestones in ‘creating a stronger and more focused organisation. FLSmidth Head of Group Reporting and Compliance Naja Barrisøe supersedes Vestergaard as interim CFO until the newly appointed CFO joins the company on or before 1 July 2020.

Oman: Oman Cement Company has appointed Fatick Hussain Al Balushi as its chief financial officer (CFO). Fatick holds over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries. He worked for the Oman Oil Company and its subsidiary, the Salalah Methanol Company, in a variety of roles including financing manager for the ammonia project, head of finance and information technology (IT) and finance director. He is an alumni of the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and the University of Leicester in the UK.

Bangladesh: Metrocem Cement has appointed Khandakar Ataur Rahman Rifat appointed as its chief marketing officer. He holds 25 years experience in the cement industry working for Aman Cement, Holcim Cement, Unique Cement, Cemex Cement, Hyundai Cement amongst other companies. He earned a BSS and a MSS from the University of Dhaka, an MBA in marketing from the World University of Bangladesh and a PhD in marketing from the same institution.