Global Cement News

South Korea: Jeon Geun-Sik, the CEO of Hanil Cement and Hanil Hyundai Cement, has been appointed as the president of the Korea Cement Association.

Geun-Sik started working for Hanil Cement in 1991, according to Chosun Daily. During his time with the company he has worked as the deputy head of the Danyang plant, head of corporate management planning, management head, senior vice president of Hanil Hyundai Cement headquarters and the CEO of Hanil Holdings. He has been the CEO of Hanil Cement and Hanil Hyundai Cement since 2022. Geun-Sik is a graduate of the Hanyang University in Seoul.

China: Jing Shiqing has been appointed as the chair of China Resources Cement (CRC) and Xie Ji has been appointed as the CEO. Jing was previously the CEO of the company and Ji Youhong was previously the chair.

Jing, aged 43 years, has worked as the CEO of CRH since 2023. He joined the group in 2003. He became the Deputy General Manager of the Human Resources Department of China Resources Group in 2018 and the Vice President of the company in 2021. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Changsha University of Science and Technology, China and a master’s degree in business administration from the Nanjing University. He is currently the Vice President of the Fifth Council of the Guangdong Building Materials Association.

Xie, aged 52 years, previously worked as the Deputy General Manager of the Strategic Management Department at CRC. He joined the group in 1993. Notable roles include working as a Vice President in the early 2010s and Chief Strategy Officer from 2021 to mid-2024. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Tongji University and an executive master’s degree in business administration from China Europe International Business School.

India: The India Cements has appointed Suresh Vasant Patil as its CEO. Krishnagopal Ladsaria has also been appointed as chief financial officer (CFO).

Patil joined the Aditya Birla group as a management trainee in 1988 and has over 35 years of professional experience. His most recent role was as the head of the Ready-Mix Concrete, Key Accounts and Building Product Division at UltraTech Cement. Patil trained as a civil engineer with qualifications from Karnataka University.

Ladsaria is a qualified chartered accountant. He has worked with companies including AF Ferguson, Grasim industries, Hindalco Industries and Century Enka. Recently he held the post of CFO at Century Enka, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla.

UltraTech Cement, part of Aditya Birla Group, took control of The India Cements in late-December 2024 when it completed its acquisition of shares. It now controls around a 55% stake in The India Cements.

Switzerland: Holcim Trading & Shipping has appointed Dost Wardak as its CEO. He succeeds Céline Coimbra in the role.

Wardak started working for Holcim Trading & Shipping in 2021 as Head of Region EMEA. Prior to this he worked for LafargeHolcim’s trading subsidiary as a trading manager from 2015. He also worked as a Business Intelligence Manager for Cementia Trading in the early 2010s. Earlier in his career held analyst positions with Lafarge.

Kenya: The High Court has opposed the appointment of Bruno Oguda Obodha as the managing director of East African Portland Cement (EAPCC). The court took action following a petition in late December 2024 that argued that the selection process was opaque and not accountable to the public, according to the Nation newspaper. Oguda was chosen for the role by the country’s president William Ruto. However the role of the Public Service Commission in the appointment process has been questioned by the court. The vacancy for managing director post at EAPCC was announced in October 2024.