PEOPLE 10 MINUTES WITH:
What is your current role and how long have you been doing it? I’m currently working as a Technical Innovation Manager for Aggregate Industries UK, specifically looking at how we can reduce the carbon footprint of cement and concrete. I started this role in July 2024.
What does your role entail? My role involves researching new technologies and innovations to help decarbonise cement and concrete. I collaborate with various teams, including startups and research centres, to explore scalable solutions. A big part of my work is identifying opportunities to implement sustainable practices in manufacturing while also influencing change within the industry.
How did you get started in this industry? I started as an apprentice in a precast concrete factory, working on technical testing and quality control. During that time, I pursued a foundation degree in concrete technology, which was always a passion of mine. From there, I moved into technical management and later into sustainability and product development, which naturally led me to my current role.
What roles were you doing before? Before my current position, I worked as a Product Development Manager, and prior to that I was an Assistant Technical Manager; I focused on compliance, mix design efficiency, and sustainability. I was also involved in product development, looking at ways to decarbonise concrete. My work in sustainability gained momentum after my dissertation on the circular
DANIELLE DAWSON Technical Innovation Manager for Aggregate Industries UK
economy and green construction, which really sparked my interest in this field.
What would you like to achieve in your role? My goal is to drive real, scalable change in the way we produce cement and concrete. I want to see the industry adopt innovative, sustainable technologies and shift towards a more collaborative approach. There’s no single solution to decarbonisation - it requires multiple strategies, and my focus is on bringing people together to make that happen.
What have been the highlight of your career so far?
One of the biggest highlights was being invited to speak at a leadership conference about sustainability in construction. It was a huge moment for me - initially nerve-wracking but ultimately rewarding to see people engage with and support the ideas I was presenting. It reinforced the importance of getting people on board with sustainability efforts.
What are the main issues for builders merchants and for the construction industry at the moment?
One of the biggest challenges is cost - finding ways to implement sustainable practices while keeping materials affordable. There’s also a mindset shift needed, as sustainability is often seen as someone else’s responsibility rather than an industry-wide effort.
If you could make one major change to the industry right now, what would it be? I would push for greater collaboration and a more unified approach to sustainability.
James Hardie, the high-performance fibre cement and fibre gypsum building solutions manufacturer, has promoted Waheeza Tegally to head of marketing for the UK, a new role which includes an additional remit as head of European dealer events. Tegally previously held senior roles at Travis Perkins and Howdens. She has been with James Hardie since 2021 and was previously marketing manager.
Richard Sharp is joining NMBS as its new finance and operations director in May, taking over from Julie Langford, who leaves at the end of September after 17 years’ service. Sharp’s previous role was finance director at Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions (OSS), where he was responsible for four businesses, supplying timber frame housing kits, roof trusses, panelised roofs and steel frame commercial structures.
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Too often, companies work in silos, but real progress comes when everyone, from manufacturers to builders, works together towards the same goal.
If you could go back to the start of your career, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to be more confident. When I first started, I sometimes doubted my place in the industry, especially being younger and in a male-dominated field. But I’ve learned that everyone starts somewhere, and you don’t need to have all the answers right away. Imposter syndrome is real, but pushing through it is key.
What keeps you busy at the weekends? I’m a big runner and love taking part in short races. I’ve got a 10K coming up soon, and I also enjoy cycling. Staying active helps put things into perspective and keeps me motivated.
What’s your favourite book & film? I’m not a huge book reader, but I love Surrounded by Idiots, which is about personality types and how people interact. I find it fascinating, especially when applied to teamwork and communication.
If you could be a superhero, which superpower would you choose? My superpower would be to never get tired. I love being busy - sometimes to my detriment. But with unlimited energy, I could get so much more done, plus loads more training for running! There just aren’t enough hours in the day. BMJ
ON THE MOVE
Breedon has added two to its sales team. Darren Johnson, will focus on building up the customer base for Kingscourt brick across the North of England. Dean Jordan will concentrate on building up the concrete tile business across the Midlands.
Lotty Pritchard has been appointed marketing director for SIG UK Roofing, having joined as Head of Marketing two years ago. She previously worked at Jewson. Gemma Prince has also been been promoted, and takes up the role of Divisional
Commercial Director, joining the North senior management team at SIG Roofing.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2025
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