Vivian takes over as MPA chair

Materials sales soften but confidence remains undimmedRise in quarry product sales throws doubt on government’s numbersAggregate sales surged in 2014Strong Q3 rise for aggregates salesAggregates sales growth suggests further construction output rise ahead Simon Vivian, who retires as chief executive of Breedon Aggregates next year, has been appointed chairman of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) for the next two years.

He succeeds Bill Brett of the Brett Group.

MPA chief executive Nigel Jackson said that Bill Brett had “helped the association navigate through a number of significant challenges it has faced as we transitioned from recession to recovery and he can look back with pride knowing he has made a positive and lasting impact”.

He added: “We are delighted that Simon has agreed to pick up the baton from Bill. His wide industry knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the association as we look to set the agenda for the industry for the next 10 years and respond to the challenges ahead.”

As previously reported, Simon Vivian is retriring as chief executive of Breedon Aggregates next year, to be succeeded by Pat Ward from Aggregate Industries.