The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) has welcomed Ben Uphill as its new President, succeeding Ben Williams, who has successfully completed his two-year tenure. In an exclusive interview with Quarry Management, both IQ Presidents – past and present – discuss the challenges facing the mineral products sector, what serving as IQ President means to them, and the Institute’s future direction
With Ben Williams’ two-year IQ presidency drawing to a close and Ben Uphill preparing to take up the chains of office, the timing was ideal for a conversation about the importance of a highly educated and professional quarrying workforce, the value of collaboration across the industry, and, of course, what lies ahead for the Institute of Quarrying.
Bringing the pair together offered a unique opportunity to reflect on Mr Williams’ highlights and achievements during his two-year tenure, while his successor, Mr Uphill, shared his global vision for IQ and the priorities he hopes to address over his two-year term.
Ask the outgoing and incoming Presidents what matters most for the future of the construction and mineral products sector, and the conversation quickly turns to people. Both see developing the next generation of skilled, professional quarrying talent as integral to the industry’s long-term success, ensuring IQ continues to evolve alongside rapid advances in technology and sustainability, and to meeting changing industry expectations.
For Mr Williams, these priorities have been integral to his IQ presidency, and for Mr Uphill, they form an important part of the agenda as he begins his term. ‘Being able to help shape the Institute’s future alongside highly experienced people with a clear vision for where IQ needs to go is a huge honour,’ said the new IQ President.
'I've served on the IQ Board for the past eight years and have seen major changes in how the Institute operates and, importantly, in how we support our members to thrive in a modern, forward-thinking and evolving industry.
‘Becoming IQ President represents the pinnacle of my involvement with the Institute. The Presidents who have come before me – such as Ben [Williams] – have laid strong foundations, strengthened collaboration across the mineral products sector, enhanced IQ’s standing as a global professional body and community, and advanced the vision for the National Stone Centre.
‘I’m very excited to build on that work and to bring together our members, branches, partners, and wider communities to share knowledge, champion best practice, and inspire the next generation.’
From apprentice to IQ President
Mr Uphill is no stranger to the industry, having built a 32-year career in the mineral products and extractives sector. He began his career as an apprentice engineer at 16, qualified as a mechanical engineer in the 2000s, and moved into operations in 2009. He later joined Sibelco’s senior leadership team and has served as the company’s director of operations since 2021, more recently taking on the role of managing director UK.
Alongside his industry roles, Mr Uphill has remained closely involved with the Institute of Quarrying, serving as an IQ Board Trustee and as Chair of the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC). His career in director and senior management roles has spanned multiple operating sites, major strategic growth projects, and contracts across aggregates and industrial minerals, including ball clay, kaolin, and silica sand. He has also played a key role in implementing health and safety systems, procedures, and improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance and working conditions.
For Mr Uphill, one of the immediate priorities of his IQ presidency will be to strengthen and expand the Institute’s membership, with a particular focus on attracting more companies, SMEs, and individuals. He also aims to ensure that existing members continue to see clear value in their membership, with greater opportunities for professional development, networking, and knowledge sharing.
A key part of this will be understanding the needs of IQ’s diverse branches and members worldwide. The Institute has built a global membership of more than 4,000, supported by affiliate IQ offices in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and South Africa. Its international footprint continues to grow, with the Middle East emerging as an important area of opportunity – particularly the UAE.
That momentum gathered pace in August 2025, when representatives of the UAE’s National Security Institute (NSI) visited the National Stone Centre (NSC) in Derbyshire. The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IQ’s then-President, Ben Williams, and the NSI’s CEO, Nahayan Alteneiji, laying the groundwork for a potential new IQ branch in the UAE.
The proposed branch will focus on strengthening professional development, raising safety standards, and expanding educational and training opportunities across the region’s mineral extractives sector – further extending IQ’s international reach and influence.
Mr Uphill plans to visit branches abroad, including those in Hong Kong and Australia, to better understand their distinct identities, challenges and priorities, and to strengthen the connections underpinning IQ’s global community.
He commented: ‘One of my priorities is to grow membership and ensure we deliver real value to our members. This means engaging more SMEs and companies, listening to our existing members, and responding to their needs through IQ. I also want to spend time with our branches around the world, learning from their standards and practices, and exploring ways to support them more effectively.’
Education and professional development will also feature prominently on Mr Uphill’s agenda. Over the past 18 months, the IQ has introduced a number of new courses and training opportunities. He believes the Institute can build on that momentum to firmly establish itself at the forefront of quarrying training and education.
For Ben Williams and Ben Uphill, developing a competent, knowledgeable and professionally recognized workforce is fundamental to the industry’s future, particularly as technology, automation and sustainability continue to reshape the mineral products sector.
One of Mr Williams’ proudest achievements during his IQ Presidency was establishing the university-accredited Diploma in Surface Mining Explosives Engineering. Delivered through a collaboration among IQ, EPC-UK, and the University of Derby, the Level 5 programme was designed to meet the evolving professional development needs of those working in the explosives products and blasting services sector.
‘Developing this Diploma marks a significant step forward for the drilling, blasting and explosives industry and a strong example of what collaboration can achieve,’ said Mr Williams.
‘Education and professional development are critical to the future of the quarrying supply chain. The Diploma strengthens technical competence and professionalism while promoting environmental management and a zero-incident safety culture. It provides a dedicated pathway for professionals seeking specialist expertise in surface-mining explosives engineering.’
Mr Williams also believes that Mr Uphill’s career journey – from apprentice engineer to IQ President – offers a powerful example of the opportunities available in the mineral products sector. The outgoing IQ President views Mr Uphill’s progression as a reminder that quarrying offers a career built on lifelong learning, with the potential to advance into senior leadership and a wide range of professional roles.
‘Ben is a true role model and a shining example of what can be achieved in our industry,’ enthused Mr Williams. ‘He began his career as an apprentice and rose to become IQ President, demonstrating that – with the right opportunities, ambition, and a commitment to lifelong learning – anything is possible.
‘That is one of the things I love about our industry. Quarrying is an inclusive, diverse, and forward-thinking sector that offers people from all backgrounds the opportunity to build rewarding careers and progress as far as their ability and ambition will take them. Ben’s journey is a fantastic example of this.’
Building IQ’s future
The relocation of IQ’s headquarters from Chilwell, Nottingham, to the National Stone Centre (NSC) at Middleton-by-Wirksworth, Derbyshire – following the Institute’s 2021 merger with the visitor attraction – marks an important step in its evolution. The new multi-million-pound base will strengthen engagement with members through seminars, conferences, branch meetings and study tours, and will also provide a dedicated National Archives for the mineral products and quarrying sector.
For Mr Uphill, ensuring the Centre of Excellence becomes a reality will be a key priority of his Presidency. The facility will provide a new home for IQ and its associated organizations, while telling the story of an industry that has evolved significantly over generations. Importantly, it will offer a high-profile platform to showcase today’s professional standards and to support the training and education of the next generation of mineral products professionals.
The recent reopening of the Derbyshire Eco Centre at Middleton-by-Wirksworth, on the same site as NSC, marks another significant step towards establishing a Centre of Excellence for the quarrying, mineral products and extractive industries. The community milestone reflects the commitment of IQ, the Derbyshire Eco Centre Community Interest Company (CIC) and the local community to restore the valued facility to use and to strengthen the foundations of the wider NSC campus.
Mr Uphill believes the Eco Centre is about more than restoring an important community asset. It offers an opportunity to bring together education, professional development, industry knowledge and community engagement, and to serve as a focal point for IQ’s future activities.
He explained: ‘Securing the Derbyshire Eco Centre will help accelerate our wider ambitions for the site, creating more opportunities for education, skills development and public engagement. We also want to make the space available for courses and activities that support learning across generations and promote sustainability. By bringing together IQ, our members, partners and the local community, we can create a lasting home for the quarrying and extractive industries – one that fosters knowledge sharing, builds skills and inspires the next generation.’
The emphasis on community, learning and long-term support resonates strongly with Mr Williams, who views IQ’s role as extending far beyond education and professional development. From entering the industry as a student or apprentice to retirement and beyond, he believes the Institute remains a constant source of knowledge, connection and support for its members.
Mr Williams continues to chair the Institute of Quarrying Benevolent Fund (IQBF), which offers confidential financial and personal support to current and former industry members and their families during severe hardship. For him, the Fund embodies the supportive culture at the heart of the Institute of Quarrying.
‘One of the things that makes IQ special is that it is there for people throughout their careers and beyond,’ said Mr Williams. ‘It is about lifelong learning, but it is also about the relationships, networking, and support that come with being part of the Institute. The Benevolent Fund is a great example of that. When members or their families face difficult times, IQ is there for them. That sense of community is something we should be incredibly proud of, and our events and branch networks can be eye-opening, offering connections and opportunities.’
Connecting the industry
Promoting the vital role of IQ’s branch network in connecting people across the mineral products, extractives and quarrying sectors was another key focus for Mr Williams during his tenure. With 13 regional branches across the UK, IQ’s professional community remains at the heart of member engagement, offering a programme of events, knowledge-sharing and opportunities to build valuable professional connections.
‘Our regional branches are incredibly important because they provide a local connection and support for our members,’ commented Mr Williams. ‘From technical branch evenings and CPD sessions to health and safety presentations and social events, including annual dinner dances, IQ’s branch network has provided countless opportunities to learn, connect and build lasting relationships. Those experiences have played a significant role in shaping me – both personally and professionally – and demonstrate the real value of being part of the IQ community.’
For new President Ben Uphill, maintaining this strong grassroots network is key to keeping the Institute relevant, accessible, and closely connected to the people it represents. He explained: ‘Keeping our branches vibrant and connected will be an important priority for me as IQ President. They are where much of the value of IQ membership comes to life – bringing people together through events, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities to get involved.
‘The IQ branch network exists because of our members’ passion and enthusiasm, their desire to make a difference, to support colleagues, and to raise standards across the industry. There are far more opportunities to get involved than many members realize, and I want to ensure we continue to highlight them and encourage more people to play an active role in the Institute.’
The next chapter
Looking ahead, Mr Uphill is clearly excited about the opportunities for IQ, with a packed programme of events providing an early platform for his Presidency. The Fellows Lunch and Student Awards on 6 November will be followed by Heavy Clay UK 2026, while plans are also taking shape for a new IQ Conference in 2027, further strengthening the Institute’s programme of learning, networking, and industry engagement.
‘As I begin my term as IQ President, I’m looking forward to attending a wide range of events and meeting members, partners and colleagues across the industry,’ said Mr Uphill. ‘These occasions are an important way to reinforce the value of knowledge, our network, and the collaborative approach at the heart of IQ.
‘I’m also particularly excited to host the International IQ Presidents’ Meeting in 2027. It will be a fantastic opportunity for our global network to come together, share knowledge and experiences, and learn from our sister IQ Institutes worldwide. By working together internationally, we can continue to strengthen our profession and support the industry and its people.’
Indeed, one of the highlights of Mr Williams’ presidency was witnessing IQ’s global reach continue to grow. Visits to Australia, Malaysia and South Africa gave him the opportunity to meet members, attend major events, and share knowledge and best practice, while also seeing first-hand the enthusiasm for IQ across its international network.
‘I was privileged to visit our international members and see their enthusiasm for IQ first-hand,’ reflected Mr Williams. ‘The appetite for knowledge, CPD, education, training and best practice was incredibly humbling and showed me how much IQ has grown into a truly global Institute. It was particularly rewarding to see how much our members valued having the UK President there to share in their events and experiences. This will be a key part of Ben’s role during his tenure.’
Another primary focus of the IQ Presidency has been to ensure the Institute’s Board reflects the breadth and diversity of the wider quarrying and mineral products industry. With members from diverse sectors and backgrounds, the Board brings a broader range of experience and insight to IQ’s strategy and priorities.
For Mr Williams, strengthening that representation has been central to his presidency, and Mr Uphill is committed to continuing that work and to maintaining a genuinely collaborative approach. As a volunteer-led organization, achieving the right balance of skills, experience and sector representation is not without its challenges, but both past and current Presidents believe it is essential to ensuring IQ remains relevant to the people and businesses it serves.
‘I’m particularly proud of the work we’ve done to ensure the Board reflects the breadth of our industry,’ said Mr Williams. ‘Having people from different sectors and backgrounds around the table brings a much broader perspective and strengthens IQ.
‘It has been a real team effort, and I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed, including past President Viv Russell for his support, guidance and vision throughout my time at IQ. I’d also like to thank my wife, Nia, for her constant support throughout my journey with IQ and during my Presidency. Her encouragement has meant a great deal to me.’
Mr Uphill concluded: ‘Ben has been instrumental in driving a more diverse and representative Board, and I’m keen to build on that work. IQ needs to reflect every part of our industry, and our strategy must be shaped collaboratively by those who understand the sectors and challenges.
‘As I take on the Presidency, my priority is clear: to build on the strong foundations already in place; grow our membership; strengthen our branch network; expand education and training; and ensure that IQ continues to deliver real value to its members and the wider industry.
‘I also want to carry forward the global vision set by past IQ Presidents and, above all, ensure the Eco Centre and National Stone Centre campus become a reality. We have an opportunity to create something that will serve IQ and the wider industry for generations, and I am determined to maintain momentum and see that vision through to completion.’