Germany: The supervisory board of KHD has appointed Jianlong Shen as chairman of the management board (CEO) from 1 October 2020 until 30 September 2023. Current chairman Yizhen Zhu has resigned for personal reasons.

China: Tongfang Kontafarma has appointed Chai Hongjie as its chairman. He succeeds Huang Yu, who will become the company’s president. The company, through its subsidiaries, mainly manufactures and sells cement, clinker and slag, trades cement and provides technical services with operations in Shandong province and Shanghai.

Chai, aged 46 years, has experience in corporate management and strategic planning for business development. He is currently the chairman of the board of directors of Shenzhen Waranty and a director of Shenzhen Huakong Seg. Prior to joining Tongfang Kontafarma group, Chai held positions as chairman of the board, directors and senior management in various companies and organisations, including the Changzhi Division of China Banking Regulatory Commission, Shanxi Guoxin Investment Group, Zhonghesheng Capital, Shanxi Financial Investment Holding Group and Shanxi Guotou Sports Industrial Group.

Chai obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Department of Finance, Shanxi Institute of Economics (now known as Shanxi University of Economics) in 1996. He was qualified as an intermediate accountant in 1997.

Russia: Three workers at Krasnoyarsk Cement and its associated company Sibcemservice have been awarded the title of ‘Honoured Builder of the Russian Federation’ by the central state government. Excavator driver Mikhail Yelkin, grinding workshop supervisor Valentina Trofimova and turner Stepan Grishechko have been issued with the honourary titles for their long service with the company of over 30 years and help in mentoring new employees.

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has appointed Simon Willis as its chairman for the next two years. He succeeds Martin Riley, Senior Vice President at Tarmac, as the eighth incumbent in the role. Willis is currently the chief executive officer (CEO) of HeidelbergCement subsidiary Hanson UK. He holds experience in the aggregates and construction materials industry and has held previous directorship roles at Eurovia Infrastructure, Midland Quarry Products and Tarmac.