Governance 2026

Institute of Quarrying Governance

Our industry and profession are changing and evolving – and our vision is to be at the forefront of raising professional performance standards, delivering high-value qualifications, and supporting ongoing professional development.

Ben Williams FIQ

IQ President

Board of Trustees

Ben Williams FIQ

IQ President

Ben Uphill FIQ

IQ Chair

Helen Bailey FIQ

IQ Deputy Chair

Andy Meadows FIQ

IQ Trustee

Dave Bagshaw FIQ

IQ Trustee

James Thorne

Company Secretary

James Whitelaw FIQ

IQ Trustee

Paul Cottrell FIQ

IQ Trustee

Robert Maurice-Jones FIQ

IQ Trustee

Steven Godfrey MIQ

IQ Trustee

Viv Russell FIQ

IQ Trustee

Wayne Darwin FIQ

IQ Trustee

William Hardcastle MIQ

IQ Trustee

Members and Fellows of the Institute have a ‘corporate membership’ status similar to that of shareholders. As a result they collectively ‘own’ the Institute and have the right to vote in annual general meetings.

Governance of the Institute is managed through a Board of Trustees and the Council of Members. Both are made up of active members and voted into positions through a democratic process involving all members.

The senior officers are the President, who is the figurehead of the organisation, and the Chairman of Council, whose responsibilities are more akin to that of a business manager. Both offices are held on an honorary basis.

Board Members

Ben Williams FIQ – IQ President
Ben Uphill FIQ - IQ Chair
Helen Bailey FIQ - IQ Deputy Chair

Andy Meadows Hon FIQ
Dave Bagshaw FIQ
James Thorne (Company Secretary)
James Whitelaw FIQ
Paul Cottrell FIQ
Robert Maurice-Jones FIQ
Steven Godfrey FIQ
Viv Russell FIQ
Wayne Darwin FIQ
William Hardcastle MIQ

Meet the core IQ team

The Core Team leads the day‑to‑day delivery of IQ’s strategy, supporting governance, member services and operational excellence across the organisation.

James Thorne

Joint CEO of IQ and MPQC

Julian Smallshaw

IQ Head of Education and Standards

Debbie White

IQ Membership Officer

Louise White

IQ Office Administrator & Events Co-ordinator

Isaac Azim

IQ Marketing Manager

Wanda Zablocki

IQBF Welfare Officer

Frederico Almeida

IQ IT Manager

Alison Godfrey

Membership Manager

IQ Structure

The Institute of Quarrying is a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity.

Our vision, history and structure

We're professional body with the history, knowledge and international experience to advise both individuals and businesses about the skills, training and personal development needs required to build successful industry careers.

Be the global leader in standards for the mineral extractives profession

That IQ standards in education and membership are recognised by all employers and the IQ Skills Wheel is established as the benchmark for competence for industry professionals.

Promote the positive impact of the industry and its profession

By promoting and celebrating the innovative work of members, we are promoting the industry and its career potential with a view to attracting new talent into the industry.

Supporting the industry in driving healthy sustainable workplaces

We work across the industry to support priority industry initiatives as well as support members in developing core competencies in health, safety and the environment.

Drive innovation and operational best practice

To share leading technical and process innovation with members, support members with relevant CPD opportunities and collaborate with partners in developing research projects.

Regional Branches

In the UK a regional branch structure exists to provide members with local networking and event opportunities. There are a number of branches who are run with their own Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and committee structure.

International Offices

There are five Affiliated National Institute’s with parallel constitutions to that of the UK in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The mechanism for liaison at international level is through the Presidents' Committee which comprises the Presidents, or Chair, of all the national bodies.

Institute of Quarrying Benevolent Fund (IQBF)

The IQBF was established as a separate registered charity in 1925. The IQBF is operated according to its Constitution, the requirements of which include a Committee of Management reporting to the Trustees of the Fund.

IQBF Constitution