David Giles has taken over as the chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) from Rick Green, who is retiring after seven years in the position and following a 40-year career.
Mr Giles (pictured) is UK director at Continental Bitumen, part of the Colas group of companies.
The trade body said he has extensive experience in the bitumen sector, previously with Shell for over 36 years and as UK general manager of Eurobitume between 2018 and 2021, when he played an active role in the AIA.
He said: ‘Over the last seven years, with Rick at its helm, awareness of the AIA and its activities has grown massively, in no small part due to Rick’s enthusiasm, passion and commitment to its aims.
‘The AIA is recognised as an authoritative voice on industry issues and there is no doubt that its campaigning has made an impact, with both the main political parties grasping that longer-term funding horizons are integral to effective asset management of the local road network in their manifestos.
‘We will continue to campaign for targeted and accountable funding over the long term to deliver sustained improvement in local road conditions and enhance the resilience of the network for all road users.’
Mr Green is retiring after 40 years of operational and commercial experience in the highway construction and maintenance sector.
He has held several senior positions within the asphalt industry, latterly as managing director of Midland Quarry Products, Heidelberg Materials’ Leicestershire-based asphalt and quarrying business.
The AIA is a partnership between the Mineral Products Association and Eurobitume and was established in 2000 to increase awareness of the asphalt industry and its activities, as well as the uses and benefits of asphalt.
A key part of its activity is the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey.
