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President's Blog: Advancing the Centre of Excellence plans
With 2025 now into its second quarter, this is an opportune time to update IQ members and the industry on our progress with the Centre of ...
Apr 16, 2025
/ by
Ben Williams
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President's Blog: Embracing growth and innovation in our industry
As I write this month’s column, it’s clear that the Institute is entering an especially busy period, with activities coming in rapid ...
Mar 26, 2025
/ by
Ben Williams
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President's Blog: Driving sustainability and progress
The new year is well underway, and we are all focused on our key objectives for the coming year. Whilst the economic conditions remain ...
Feb 26, 2025
/ by
Ben Williams
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President's Blog: Securing success through collaboration and partnership
I begin my first IQ President’s column of 2025 by acknowledging just a few of our Institute’s accomplishments from last year, achieved as a ...
Jan 23, 2025
/ by
Ben Williams
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President's Blog: Celebrating the strength of relationships
As 2024 draws to a close, I begin my December column by praising the strength of relationships we’ve developed within our institute and ...
Dec 11, 2024
/ by
Ben Williams
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President's Blog: The essence of our industry
Reflecting on my first month in the role of IQ President, I feel it is already a privilege to serve as leader of an organisation that is ...
Nov 21, 2024
/ by
Ben Williams
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President's Blog: Strategy, engagement, service
It is with great pride and humility that I take on the role of President of the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) from Viv Russell. It is an ...
Oct 21, 2024
/ by
IQ News Update
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President's Blog: A moment to reflect
As this marks my final President’s column, I want to take a moment to reflect on my time as an honorary officer of the Institute of ...
Sep 18, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: With standards come improvements in safety
Standards are fundamental to all our activities as an Institute. Over our hundred-year history, we have consistently aimed to advance both ...
Aug 20, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Another successful year at Hillhead
After a bustling few days at the Hillhead show, it's been wonderful to reflect on the incredible industry we are part of. I haven't spoken ...
Jul 26, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Showcasing the best of our industry
This month, we eagerly anticipate the return of the Hillhead tradeshow exhibition at Buxton, a highlight of the year for many of us. With ...
Jun 7, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Embracing an everchanging industry
I have had a very busy previous month with the IQ Yorkshire Branch Dinner Dance, an IQ Lancashire Branch meeting and a trip to the IQ ...
May 2, 2024
/ by
IQ News Update
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President's Blog: A renewed commitment to excellence
The Institute of Quarrying's (IQ) calendar has been bustling with a variety of events already as we complete the first quarter of the year, ...
Apr 2, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Better Together
It seems that with every year time seems to pass even quicker. I cannot quite believe this month’s column reflects the onset of spring and ...
Mar 11, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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Charting a sustainable future
The transition to a zero-carbon economy is becoming evident as major investments are made in new fuels, more efficient plant, and ...
Feb 2, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Safety remains the top priority
With a new year beginning, it's a time for both individuals and their employers to pause, reflect, and refocus on the importance of health, ...
Jan 3, 2024
/ by
Viv Russell
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Reflecting on a remarkable year
It's astonishing that the year is coming to a close, which also marks the final year of my tenure as President of the Institute of ...
Dec 7, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Celebrating progress and driving agendas
As we approach the end of 2023, the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) remains as active as ever in efforts to advance industry plans. This ...
Nov 14, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Enhancing professional development opportunities
The UK-wide network of Institute of Quarrying (IQ) branches always provides members with an excellent opportunity to develop their skills ...
Oct 2, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: New challenges mean new approaches
In my forty-plus years in the industry, I have witnessed incredible changes in how work is carried out. The advances in digital technology ...
Sep 21, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Nurturing growth, strength, and resilience
For many of us, August represents the chance to take a break from our working lives and recharge our batteries before we push into the ...
Aug 3, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: An industry that values well-being
I recently read the 'Time for Action' letter from John Pritchard, the CEO of the Mineral Products Association (MPA). I was deeply saddened ...
Jul 4, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Achieving greater outcomes together
As we reach the midway point of the year, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the significant accomplishments that have been made at ...
Jun 1, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: A Bright Future Ahead
As an Institute, our core identity is about developing skills, knowledge and competence. One of the benefits of Institute of Quarrying (IQ) ...
May 1, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: An ambition for sustainability
As we step out of the winter months and begin to see the first signs of spring, it's a reminder of how lucky I have been to spend my life ...
Apr 3, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Opportunities for growth
The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) prides itself on developing talented professionals that will drive the sector into the future. Over the ...
Mar 1, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: Fast start to the year continues at pace
It has been a fast start to 2023, with the Institute of Quarrying’s (IQ) focus firmly on the projects and opportunities that the year ahead ...
Feb 6, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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President's Blog: A network of support
Happy 2023! I hope the festive break provided you all with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy precious time with your families and friends. ...
Jan 4, 2023
/ by
Viv Russell
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Looking back to strive forward
As the year draws to a close, it feels like a good time to reflect on the last 12 months. Following the recent years where we have all been ...
Dec 1, 2022
/ by
Viv Russell
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Working together as one
This last month I have continued to meet with many different colleagues and friends across the sector, listening to their stories, ...
Nov 1, 2022
/ by
Viv Russell
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A Collaborative Approach
It has been a busy beginning to my term as IQ President. Starting with the AGM last month, October is now providing plenty of opportunities ...
Oct 3, 2022
/ by
Viv Russell
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Seasonal change also marks President change
This September marks the change in President at the Institute. As the incoming President, I would like to start by thanking Martin Riley ...
Sep 1, 2022
/ by
Viv Russell
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Passing the baton
This month is my last as President of the Institute before passing the baton to Viv Russell in September.
Aug 1, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Be an active member
It seems incredible that we are already in the second half of the year. We have just seen the welcome return of Hillhead after a gap of ...
Jun 28, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Looking forward
There have been times over the last two and half years where I think we can all say it felt as though things may never return to normal. ...
May 26, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Driving better industry outcomes through collective effort
I want to start my column this month by taking a moment to remember one of my predecessors as President of the Institute. Many of you will ...
Apr 28, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Leading through nature
Incredibly, we are now entering the year's second quarter. Nearly everyone I speak to agrees that 2022 seems to be passing by like a blur. ...
Mar 31, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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A diverse workforce will lead to a stronger industry
Writing this month's column coincided with National Apprenticeship Week. The annual campaign celebrates apprentices and the value of an ...
Mar 2, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Don’t let career development affect personal development
The new year is now well and truly underway and we have quickly become immersed in delivering this year’s organisational plans and focusing ...
Feb 1, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Reasons to welcome the New Year
As we begin the New Year, there is a sense of Groundhog Day for many of us. We are grappling with uncertainties surrounding the latest ...
Jan 1, 2022
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Working for a sustainable future
November marks several significant events both globally and for the IQ, reflecting the challenges we are facing as a society and ...
Nov 1, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Celebrating a bright future for our profession
Over the last few months this column has highlighted the importance of our sector supporting the wider society. There are many challenges ...
Oct 1, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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An exciting new chapter
Over the last few weeks you may have seen the announcement regarding the merger of the Institute of Quarrying with the National Stone ...
Sep 6, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Engaging communities for future skills
One of the issues we often discuss at IQ Board of Trustees meetings is the need for society to recognise the need for our sector and our ...
Aug 2, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Industry innovation for a sustainable future
In last month’s column, the focus centred on the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) for all of us as members of the ...
Jul 2, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) vital for future success
The industry’s leading event, Hillhead, has just experienced its successful transition to an alternative, digital format. Hillhead Digital ...
Jun 1, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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Building skills now and for the future
The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) has a long and proud history of professional development for its members, through education, training, and ...
May 4, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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New product innovation to deliver a better future
At the time of writing, we are at the point in the year where we are beginning to see the signs of spring with warmer and brighter weather ...
Apr 1, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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CPD drives competence
We are approaching the end of the first quarter of the year and there is genuine hope that we are seeing the beginning of the pathway out ...
Mar 5, 2021
/ by
Martin Riley, IQ President
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