Wayne Sheppard, Managing Director of Ibstock Brick, was elected President of the British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) at its Annual General Meeting on 18th June, in succession to Ian Dudson, Chairman of Dudson Ltd. Wayne, who is 49, has served on the Board of the BCC as a representative of the brick industry since December 2004 and will serve a two-year term as BCC President.
Wayne originally trained as a mechanical and electrical engineer, and has performed general management roles for the last twenty years with several major companies in the ceramic construction materials sector. As President of BCC he will initially focus on helping the ceramics industry to respond to the impact of the credit crisis, in addition to ensuring that BCC can continue to provide effective representation for the industry in the face of increasingly burdensome regulations emanating from both Westminster and Brussels. Wayne commented “BCC will have an increased lobbying responsibility, notably in respect of freeing up financial markets to increase lending, encouraging the building of more social & affordable housing, and the need for Government support for short time working arrangements during the current recession to preserve jobs”.
Out-going President Ian Dudson reflected “Wayne’s breadth of knowledge and experience in the manufacture of bricks and clay roof tiles will underpin his role as President of BCC over the next two years at a very challenging time for the industry. I am pleased to be handing over to someone who has a heartfelt commitment to the manufacture of ceramics in the UK”.