People

Saudi Arabia: Al Jouf Cement has appointed Eissa Baissa as director general, effective from 15 September 2013.

Prior to joining Al-Jouf, Baissa was general manager of one of the cement companies operating in Saudi Arabia, Al-Jouf said without disclosing the name of that company. Al-Saleh has a Bachelor Degree in mining engineering from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. in business administration from University of Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

UK: Bill Brett has been appointed as the chairman of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) for the next two years to 2015. He will succeed Dyfrig James. Brett, the chairman of Brett Group, has a wide range of commercial interests and industry involvement.

"Members have appreciated Dyfrig's inclusive approach and the efforts he has made to engage with all parts of the MPA, particularly in the regions and of course his beloved Wales," said Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA. "The MPA would like to thank Dyfrig for all his efforts and wish Bill Brett every success for his two year tenure."

Denmark: Cement plant manufacturer FLSmidth has announced that Virve Elisabeth Meesak has been appointed to a newly created position in Group Executive Management as Group Executive Vice President, Global Human Resources. She will take up her new position on 1 September 2013. The new role has been created in an effort to effectively strengthen the FLSmidth Group's competitiveness by focusing more on strategic human resource management.

Meesak, 53, is a Swedish citizen and has been an independent Human Resource consultant specialised in change management, leadership training and executive coaching since 2010. Between 2008 and 2010 she was Human Resource Director for Alstom Power Services (North East Europe) and from 2005 to 2008 she held the position of Vice President (Human Resources) at Sandvik Mining and Construction AB. Prior to 2005 Meesak had a number of other vice president roles.

Saudi Arabia: The management board of Najran Cement has approved the appointment of Mohammed bin Mani bin Sultan Aba al-Ala as board chairman and managing director, with a three-year term. The company also named Daifullah al-Ghamidi as deputy board chairman.

Vietnam: Hoang Mai Cement has announced that Dang Tang Cuong retired as deputy general director from 1 August 2013.