The BAA board of directors unanimously agreed on the new team during the association's AGM at The Palace Hotel in Buxton, Derbyshire, central England, on Monday, 21 June 2021.
Mike Phillips will head up the team as BAA chief executive officer. He will focus on broadening BAA membership to encompass all aggregate products, in addition to aggregate processing.
Currently a director of MinExp, the well–respected industry consultancy, Phillips is a previous general manager of the Institute of Quarrying (IQ). He has in-depth senior managerial experience and a wealth of strategic consultancy practice for leading industry organisations,
He said he was “genuinely delighted” to be taking on this new role and feels that this opportunity could not have come at a more relevant time, following 18 months of a global pandemic.
“There are many challenging areas facing our sector which will need to be addressed, as well as many new and exciting opportunities to be delivered to our membership.
"I am delighted that both Richard [Bird, BAA executive officer] and Peter [Huxtable, BAA secretary] are to remain in post. Their expertise and knowledge will be invaluable in navigating us into the future. I am confident that, together with our talented management team and distinguished membership, we will go from strength to strength in our shared future."
Joining Philips in the BAA executive management team is Roy Bush, as director of Health & Safety.
Bush has already had three years of experience working with the BAA and representing the association as secretary of the Assessment of operating Standards (AOS) scheme, as a board member of QNJAC (Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee), and on many other valuable industry-related groups.
Bush remains a director of MinExp, having previously spent over two decades with the HSE National Quarries Team.
He said: "I feel extremely privileged to be part of this challenging and exciting venture! I see this as an incredible opportunity to deliver something special for our membership. I look forward with great enthusiasm to helping this talented management team develop the BAA to secure its' future for the good of the industry."
Mark Cowan is taking up a new role as BAA director of Transport, Logistics & Concrete.
Cowan has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and practical industry-related skills. He is a very well–known and highly respected name, particularly in the Ready–Mix sector.
Cowan owns UK Truckmixer Training which currently provides the only approved and accredited training and assessment for concrete mixer drivers in the UK and Europe, recognised and endorsed by CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety).
"I believe this is a great opportunity to enhance and change the perceptions of the industry for the better when it comes to transport and logistics," he said, while stressing the great passion and commitment he would bring to his new role.
BAA chairman Paul McManus said the BAA would simply not have been in existence without the leadership, passion and commitment of Bob Durward, the founder of the BAA, who passed away on 4 January 2018 after battling cancer.
"Times have significantly changed from Bob's initial concept … and they will continue to do so. So, I believe that it is time for the BAA to adapt to reflect these changes.
"Therefore, I would very much like to welcome our new management team to the BAA. Their job is to develop the practical strategy and then the successful implementation plan, to deliver these changes.
"After much recent hard work, I am convinced that we have at our helm a management team with the drive, passion and will for success, which will make a significant positive impact on the association and also provide real value to our members and our industry.
"Personally, it gives me great comfort that long-standing officers of the association, like Peter Huxtable and Richard Bird, will continue with our organisation, providing a safe set of experienced hands going forward.
"I can't wait to get this show on the road."
