Oman: Tarek Talaat has moved from Egypt-based Misr Cement Group to Raysut Cement, where he takes over the role of CEO. He was previously managing director and CEO of Misr Cement Group. Before that, he held leadership positions across Europe, Egypt and the Middle East at Holcim, Arabian Cement Company and Ras Al Khaimah White Cement. Raysut Cement called Talaat the ‘standout’ choice for the CEO position, due to his vision, strategic mindset and proven turn-around experience. Tarek holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Cairo University and studied financial management at INSEAD University in France. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Swiss Business School, Zurich, in Switzerland.

Raysut Cement said “With Mr Tarek at the helm, we are confident that Raysut Cement will continue to thrive and reach new heights. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding the company through the ever-evolving landscape of the cement industry.”

Reuters has reported that Talaat’s resignation as managing director of Misr Cement Group will take effect on 12 October 2023.

Spain: The Spanish cement association (Oficemen) has elected Alan Svaiter as its president. He will take charge of various cross-sectoral initiatives aimed at helping the local cement industry to meet present and future challenges. These include recovering its higher activity levels and advancing its net zero strategy. He succeeds Cemex’s director general of strategic planning, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, José Manuel Cascajero, in the role.

Svaiter has held the position of chief executive officer (CEO) of Votorantim Cimentos España since January 2018. Prior to that, he worked in Brazil as Votorantim Cimentos’ supply chain director from 2014 and the CEO of its ready-mix concrete subsidiary Engemix from 2010. Earlier, he held management roles at logistics groups VarigLog and Vale.

UK: James Whitelaw will take on the role of managing director in Hanson UK’s newly-established recycling business line. He will be responsible for identifying opportunities to grow organically using the company’s existing capabilities and for integrating new acquisitions.

Whitelaw has held management roles in Hanson UK since 2001 and most recently served as aggregates managing director. Former concrete managing director Brian Charleton will replace him in this role, while Gordon Napier, previously concrete regional director, joins Hanson UK’s executive team as the new concrete managing director.

Finland: Finnsementti has appointed Tommy Ranta as its Operations & Commercial Director.

Ranta has been employed by CRH and its subsidiaries since 2007. He originally started working for Finnsementti in 2007 as an Operating Engineer. He later worked for Jura Cement in Switzerland and then returned to Finnsementti from 2012 in a variety roles, including plant manager of the Parainen cement plant, before eventually becoming the company’s Production Director. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics and a master’s degree in science, economics and business adminsitrtion from Åbo Akademi University in Turku.