IQ Trustee Board Elections 2024

The applications for the IQ Trustee Board positions are now in. IQ are pleased to announce five excellent candidates for you to consider for election. The personal statements of each candidate are available and can be read in full below. Members of the Institute of Quarrying can vote for the three chosen candidates they feel will make a positive difference.

Personal Statements (listed in alphabetical order)

David Sandbrook 
BSc FRICS MRTPI FIQ MCIWM 
Director – Sandbrook Land & Minerals Limited. 

Exactly 40 years ago I joined the quarrying industry and became a Member of the Institute of Quarrying in 1987 having successfully completed the Doncaster Assisted Private Study Diploma (“DAPS”). I have remained a member ever since and I am now a proud Fellow of the Institute. 

During those 40 years, I have forged a career within the minerals sector and I am now recognised as an expert in negotiating commercial property transactions, quarry valuation and mineral planning. My work has taken me throughout the UK, and internationally, on quarrying projects involving major operators, SMEs and a wide range of property owners.

I am also a Chartered Surveyor (FRICS), Chartered Planner (MRTPI) and Chartered Waste and Resource Manager (MCIWM). I have held senior corporate positions and undertaken high-level governance roles within the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and as a charity trustee. 

I recognise the duties, responsibilities and commitments of being a Trustee and have specific skills, knowledge and experience to assist the board. 

Paula Wardle MIQ 
Operations Development Manager, Ibstock Brick 
 
I have many years’ experience across a wide range of industries, particularly within the ceramics sector, and a passion for developing people.  
I am a dynamic, self-motivated, creative individual, with excellent communication skills and the ability to influence, motivate and build solid relationships across 
all levels of a business.  

An accomplished facilitator, proficient at analytical and critical thinking, problem solving and root cause analysis.  Highly organised, with the capability to manage many multi-disciplined projects at any given time. Able to work holistically at a strategic level as well as highly capable of delivering the detail 
when required.  

My current role as Operations Development Manager, reporting to the Manufacturing Production Director at Ibstock, sees me working nationally across 18 manufacturing sites.  In partnership with the Operations and HR teams, I develop long-range strategic workforce plans and future capability requirements for the business.

Developing, managing the design and implementation of internal and external training and development programmes to meet skills gaps and future growth requirements of the business.  Nurturing the talent and, building capability and independence of the factory teams, building a culture focused on both sustainable and continuous improvement, where the people and process deliver exceptional performance.  

Responsible for Identifying the technical knowledge and experience of the employees and writing appropriate standards and creating programmes to 
develop the necessary skills for the future of the business. Coaching and Mentoring employees to put people and performance at the heart of our company with direct responsibility and accountability for the group training budget, managing the Manufacturing Operations team budget.

Within the last 18 months, I have been instrumental in building a partnership with the HCTa Committee and IQ, culminating in moving the HCTa from IOM3 to set it up as a Group within IQ.   

As chair of the HCTa (formerly ICTa) I have led the development of the heavy clay Level 2, Level 3 & Level 5 qualifications for the industry, and for Ibstock I have developed and managed the award-winning Engineering and Technical Apprenticeships. 

I believe my experience of developing and delivering strategy in a FTSE 250 business, and my expertise in developing qualifications, particularly for the heavy clay industry, will allow me to contribute to the development of the IQ strategy and policies. 

Joining the board of trustees will allow me to give back to the industry that has always supported and developed me, to ensure the future health and success of the institute and ensure the whole sector is represented. 

Rob Maurice-Jones FIQ 
Area Operations Manager - Central England, Breedon 

I would be honoured to be elected as a Trustee of the Institute of Quarrying. I have been an active member of the IQ North Wales branch since 2008, a committee member since 2012 and chairman of the branch from 2014 – 2018. 

In 2012 I was elected to sit on the IQ council as a young additional member. Since then, my term has been extended (without the young in the title these days) and I continue to play a key part of the council.  

I also continue to support the North Wales branch and their committee. Now working geographically outside of North Wales area, I understand the wider challenges faced by other branches. I believe that with this understanding and experience of the institute, my next step is to act as a Trustee.

 For me, I value this industry and the opportunities it has provided me immensely. Quarrying is my passion, and I would be privileged to help champion the industry on a wider scale, upholding and promoting the values of the institute, including member development and engagement between all our unique branches. It is important that the IQ in its entirety actively supports and collaborates with its branches to ensure their long-term sustainability. If elected to the board, I plan to play a key role in strengthening these relationships.

In my current role I enjoy a breadth of responsibility and exposure to a wide range of functional and operational aspects of quarrying. During my career to date, I have worked with integrity and have a proven track record of leading and working within successful senior teams and would hope to replicate this in my IQ work.

I have gained significant technical competence, meaning I am fully knowledgeable of legislative requirements, policy, and best practice. I understand the importance of organisational strategy to ensure as an Institute we are fit and equipped for the future and can continue the legacy of great work others have 
completed beforehand.

What gets me up in the morning is the chance to work with brilliant people and improve business performance by engaging with colleagues and maximising their potential.

Quarrying is, in my opinion, an awesome and exciting industry to operate within and I am inspired by our fantastic people every day who are essential in ensuring our sector’s continued success in the future. 

Scott Watson MIQ 
Consultant in the Mining/Quarrying Sectors & Advisor, Trainer 
and Coach, Oman Institute of Oil and Gas 

C Suite Officer with 40 years’ experience in the Mining and Quarrying Industries, skilled in managing risk, business analysis and optimisation, decision making, improving efficiency through training and continuous improvement, and delivering profitability, growth and sustainability. 

Having Chaired the IQ Northern Ireland Branch, served on the Committee, and worked both in the UK and overseas, I fully appreciate the benefits IQ offers its 
members and the industry it serves and the value of collaboration with the MPQC and industry organisations.

At this stage in my career, I would appreciate this challenge offering guidance that benefits the whole industry and contributes to the future development of the IQ.  Please be assured I’m fully aligned to the duties and commitments of the role, and do have the skills, knowledge and experience the help the IQ Board reach sound decisions.

Wayne Darwin FIQ  
HSEQ Assurance & Governance &  
National Businesses Manager, Tarmac 

I am interested in pursuing the role of trustee with the Institute of Quarrying and put forward my application and personal statement accordingly. I have worked in the mineral sector since 2001 previously holding logistics and operational roles with Hanson and more recently Tarmac.

I am currently the HSEQ National business, Assurance and Governance Manager for the Tarmac business and previously held roles across RMX and Transport. 

I am currently an IQ council member and have severed the sector across various industry groups including the MPA, MPQC and QNJAC, directly contributing to the development of industry guidance, governance and the future development of the sector.

Currently I am serving as a trustee of the Tarmac National Skills Park linked to the Professional Operator Development Programme and have previously served as a Director of the Symphony Learning Trust which was a trust comprising 7 schools in an academy directly responsible for health and safety alongside, safeguarding and educational needs with an appointment at companies house.

I have a broad range of corporate governance experience with direct responsibility for reporting internally on HSEQ performance alongside the development of core policy, business strategy and legal compliance. I have a range of experience attending leadership and executive committee meetings and would welcome the opportunity to share this experience with the Institute and the wider sector to safeguard the interests of the industry and the minerals sector for the future.