Our inspiring speakers for 2021 will be giving insights on topical and technical issues designed to appeal to delegates from the bulk handling industry and associated fields.
BulkEx 21 Conference Speakers
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Sir Lindsay Hoyle Speaker of the House of Commons
Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s world has always revolved around politics. As a babe in arms in 1957, he attended his first Labour Party conference with his father, Doug – now Lord Hoyle – then an aspiring MP.From the age of seven, he was a regular on the campaign trail, delivering leaflets to help his father’s first attempt to stand in Clitheroe. When Doug Hoyle finally secured the Nelson and Colne constituency in 1974, it was no surprise Lindsay’s political career was set. He became the youngest ever councillor to serve Chorley when elected in 1980 at the age of 22. He went on to become Deputy Leader of Chorley Council, and then Mayor of Chorley in 1997-1998. Having his appetite wetted by local politics, Lindsay stood and won the Chorley seat in 1997 – the first Labour MP to represent the constituency for 18 years. In Parliament, Lindsay has served on the Trade & Industry Select Committee and the European Scrutiny Committee – and in 2010, he was elected by fellow MPs to the position of Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means. On a pledge to keep MPs, staff and their families safe, to be an impartial chair and improve the image of Parliament, Lindsay was elected as Speaker on 4 November 2019, following the resignation of Speaker John Bercow. As Honorary Colonel of 3 Medical Regiment, Lindsay is a keen supporter of and advocate for the Armed Forces. Another high priority during his Speakership is to strengthen and renew the UK’s ties with the Commonwealth group of nations and British Overseas Territories. At home, Lindsay is a family man and the proud owner of a menagerie of pets. He is devoted to wife Catherine, his daughter and two grandchildren. Outside of politics, he is fan of rugby league, football and cricket.
Sales Director & Joint Owner of Woodcock & Wilson Ltd
Sales Director & Joint Owner of Woodcock & Wilson Ltd
Scott Harding is Sales Director & joint owner of Woodcock & Wilson and is a member of the IECEx Committee, UKATEX committee, UKEX committee, Nuclear Institute, National Nuclear Ventilation forum, SHAPA, and the Fan Manufacturers Association. He has over 30 years’ experience in the industrial fan industry covering fan design, manufacture & process safety. He is a driving force behind mechanical safety within the process industry, providing knowledge sharing with lectures & presentations on the ATEX fan standard EN14986, EN80079-36, EN80079-37 and the introduction of the IECEx non-electrical standard in 2016.
Sergio Zamorano
Vice President Global Projects and Product Development for Oriental Rubber Industries Pty. Ltd.
Over 30 years of experience in general management, business development, multidisciplinary design, project management, construction, operation and maintenance in the mining and materials handling industries in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. His experience includes working for large International Engineering Firms Such as Fluor and Bechtel, as well as OEM companies like FLSmidth and Tenova Takraf, in different countries. In the beginning of his career he worked with ISCOR Mining, today Exxaro Resources in South Africa. Mr. Zamorano has taken part in the design and operation of complex conveying systems, both conventional and pipe conveyors, stacking and reclaiming systems, crushing, and screening plants, as well as train and ship loading and un-loading systems. This includes several projects that were world’s first in capacity, length, or configuration at their time. He holds a six-year degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad de Santiago de Chile, a M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, a graduate diploma in Business Management from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and an Advanced Diploma in Bulk Materials Handling from The South African institute of Materials Handling. He teaches “Material Handling” for last year mechanical engineering students, at Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria in Chile.
Declan Barry
Managing Director of Atex Explosion Hazards Ltd
Declan Barry started as a Mechanical Engineer in Ireland in 1978 he completed further education with the Institute of Industrial Management and Product Development 1984 to 87. This got Declan into a career developing Explosion Protection services with Mercury Engineering in 1987, finishing as to General Manager 1997. His primary task was testing and installing Pressure Hot Water Explosion Suppression Systems for the Dairy industry. Declan bought Explosion Hazards in 1998. He is Member of the Institute of Engineers in Ireland, European Safety Management Group, the EU’s Safetynet programme, National Standards Association of Ireland representative to CEN TC305 and BSI EXL/023 standards representative and is also member of MHEA and on the council of SHAPA.
Paul Long
Rail Operations & Technical Director at Loram UK Ltd
Paul Long is Rail Operations & Technical Director at Loram UK leading the engineering, rail operations and the maintenance teams on their site in Derby. Paul is also the technical lead for the development and approval of Loram OEM On Track Machines for the European, Middle East and North African markets. Previously, Paul worked at Network Rail for 14 years, starting as a graduate engineer and progressing through to managing Network Rail’s central engineering team for Network Rail’s fleet of 2,500 rail vehicles. Paul joined ZF in 2018 as their UK & Ireland Business Manager and Professional Head for their rail business. Paul is a Chartered Engineer and elected Fellow with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Joachim Lohmann
Sales Director for Business Unit Alternative Fuels AUMUND Foerdertechnik GmbH
After Joachim Lohmann graduated as Mechanical Engineer (Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany) in 1994 he worked for AUMUND Foerdertechnik GmbH, Department for Research & Development, and afterwards as Area Sales Manager responsible for Eastern Europe and Western Africa, mainly in the Cement Industry.
During the last 20 years he gained substantial experience and knowhow working as Senior Project Manager and Director Engineering in CIS-Projects for a worldwide well known cement manufacturer. His special focus was on various kinds of Material Handling, Grinding and Dedusting Projects and finally in the Greenfield installation of a new cement plant.
Since the beginning of 2020 he is again working for AUMUND Foerdertechnik GmbH as Sales Director Business Unit Alternative Fuels. His today`s responsibility covers alternative fuels applications worldwide, especially in the Cement Industry as well as in other key industries..
Ralf Zander
Managing Director and Shareholder at IEM ConveyingSystems GmbH
Ralf Zander is currently Managing Director at IEM Conveying Systems GmbH. For nearly two decades he has been key to developing strategies and leading worldwide sales activities in several market segments for mechanical conveying systems.
Ivan Skidmore
Sales & Technical Director for Power Minerals Ltd. (PML)
Ivan has 20 years of experience in the ash industry, joining the PML Management Team in 2014. Ivan’s experience spans the cement and energy industry in environmental, technical engineering and commercial roles. Ivan started his career in aerospace and is a graduate of Management and Manufacturing Systems. Ivan currently holds the following positions, Director of Power Minerals Ltd., Director of the European Coal Combustion Products Association GmbH (ECOBA), President from 2015-2019, Executive and Technical Committee Member of the UK Quality Ash Association (UKQAA), Chair 2012-2017, Director of Cinis Management Ltd. (AshTrans Conferences and ASHES Magazine).
Gary Sinclair
Operations Director for Compass Minerals UK Ltd
Gary Sinclair is currently Operations Director for Compass Minerals UK, Compass are a largest supplier of road de-icing salt to the UK market the 5th largest document storage business, specialising in high quality temperature and humidity control secure storage. He has had a career in engineering across various sectors from mining through to FMGC products. Gary has a lot of experience in project management delivering change and efficiency improvements across these differing industries.
Craig Small
Operations Director for Kier Infrastructure – Major Projects
Craig Small has over 25 years’ experience in the civil engineering construction industry working on a diverse range of small and large civil engineering projects in the UK & overseas. During his career he has spent a considerable amount of time delivering civil engineering infrastructure projects in the rail, marine & nuclear sector in the South West region. Craig is an Operations Director working for Kier Infrastructure – Major Projects for the past 14years. Craig currently leads the Kier BAM Nuttall Joint Venture team at Hinkley Point C, Craig was responsible for the successful delivery of the Early Works contract on the nuclear licensed site and his current role is Project Director for the large multi-disciplinary team delivering a complex earthworks and infrastructure package for EDF Energy. Living and raising his family in Plymouth, Craig has a vested interested in constructing high quality infrastructure projects in the South West, now and for the future.
Chris Swan
Chris Swan, Head of Rail for Tarmac
Chris Swan has spent more than 17 years working in the railfreight and construction industries. Prior to joining Tarmac he held a variety of senior operational railfreight roles, covering most areas of the UK & all major product types. At Tarmac Chris is responsible for the company’s national rail strategy and operational delivery, as well as ensuring that the rail network can deliver the business demands of the future. Key to this is working with all freight operating companies & other key rail suppliers to ensure Tarmac can safely deliver effective services to its customers, expanding the network of sites and rail depots within the business, improving capacity and efficiency and also working with partners to innovate & develop new technology within the rail supply chain. Chris has also worked to raise the profile of the construction industry within the wider rail industry and works with colleagues from across the industry to ensure policy makers and regional and national bodies are aware of the need to create and improve capacity and strategic terminals in key areas. He is on the Board of the Railfreight Group and Rail Forum Midlands & Vice Chair of the CILT Railfreight Committee.
John C Chaplin BSc CEng FICE
Director of External Affairs and Special Projects for The Bristol Port Company
John Chaplin is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. After working in consultancy and contracting John joined The Bristol Port Company in 2000. He was promoted to the position of Director of Engineering in 2003 and subsequently to the Director with responsibility for External Affairs and the delivery of major schemes. John has managed an extensive range of projects for The Port. He is the Port Company’s agent on various national and regional bodies and represents the Port in their dealings with neighbours, central and local government and stakeholders including Highways England, Network Rail and National Grid. John was appointed Chair of SevernNet in 2019, a social enterprise run by and for the businesses, community and other stakeholders in the Port’s hinterland.
Eddie McGee
Managing Director for Ajax Equipment Ltd
Eddie McGee is an experienced Managing Director with 3 decades in engineering, providing solutions for many, varied solids handling projects in chemical, pharmaceutical, nuclear, waste, energy, food, confectionery and other industries. Routinely involved in the detailed specification, design and supply of bespoke screw feeders, conveyors, elevators, mixers and lump breakers, as well as ancillary items such as hoppers, intermediate bulk containers etc. Eddie is a member (and past chairman) of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Bulk Materials Handling Committee, the European Federation of Chemical Engineering Working Party on Mechanics of Particulate Solids and the Solids Handling and Processing Association’s Technical Committee. He has a PhD from Glasgow Caledonian University for his work on characterisation and flow behaviour in hoppers and screw feeders and in 2008 he was presented with the IMechE Bulk Materials Award for Innovation. Eddie has presented papers at conferences and seminars in UK, Germany, Italy, Norway and the USA.
Mike Bradley
Director, The Wolfson Centre
Mike Bradley is Professor in Particle and Bulk Technology, Director of the Wolfson Centre and Head of the Greenwich Manufacturing Group at the University of Greenwich. He was awarded both his honours degree and PHD from Thames Polytechnic (now the University of Greenwich) and, as the Director, provides technical leadership in all aspects of bulk solids handling. His particular areas of interest lie in pneumatic conveying, design of hoppers and silos, dust control, plant integration and maintenance of product quality. He is Chair of Solids Handling and Processing Association (SHAPA), a member of Materials Handling Engineers’ Association (MHEA) and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Bulk Materials Handling Committee (IMechE). He was awarded a professorship in 2006 and the directorship in 2008.
Davey Wharrier
Fuel Handling Manager for Lynemouth Power Ltd and Port of Tyne
Davey had over 30 year’s experience in the UK Deep Mines sector before moving to Lynemouth Power in 2006 as raw Materials Engineer. He has been the engineering lead for the biomass conversion for over 7 years and project manager for the Biomass Storage and Handling project for the duration of the contract. Today, he holds the post of Fuel Handling Manager for Lynemouth Power, with responsibility for both Lynemouth and Port of Tyne installations A background in the mining industry gives an individual wide experience in the techniques and processes that have been developed over the years for fire and explosion detection and mitigation below ground. Many of these techniques are readily available and easily transferable to biomass handling industry. The paper will explain how armed with past mining experience the author sets out on a journey throughout the UK, Europe and Canada to discover what equipment, processes and techniques employed in the handling of Biomass are effective. What can and has gone wrong and what further mitigation methods can be employed.
David Patterson
Consultant, Bulk Materials Handling at ProSpare Ltd
Dave Patterson consults for ProSpare Ltd’s Bulk Materials Handling Department. He previously led the department for 5 years as General Manager, prior to announcing his well-earned retirement earlier this year. Over a 40-year career Dave has gained an excellent reputation for his expertise in engineering and conveyors and he’s enjoyed every last minute of it! Dave has worked in and around the bulk handling industry since 1976 and began his career as a mechanical apprentice with the National Coal Board. After 18 years at Thoresby Colliery, Dave worked for several leading companies in the materials handling industry both here in the UK and overseas. The common denominator in his career is a specialism and passion for improving conveyors, and in particularly the cleaning, tracking and sealing of the belts.