British Ceramic Confederation appoints new policy officer
The British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) has welcomed a new team member who brings with him plenty of experience within the industry.
Andrew Bowker, who has lived in Kidsgrove most of his life, has been appointed as a new Policy Officer, working closely with BCC’s technical team.
The BCC represents the collective interests of all sectors of the UK ceramics manufacturing industry. Its sector experts provide wide-ranging professional advice to members, covering topics including health and safety, energy, emissions, planning, waste management, international trade, employment law and education and training.
Andrew said: “I am very proud of the area’s ceramic heritage and have always been proud that I worked within the sector. I am keen to see the industry continue to do well and flourish.”
Andrew, 57, started his career in the ceramics industry in 1986, working for Royal Doulton initially as a management trainee. He remained with the company for 15 years and in that time progressed through various production management roles at different sites, with the final 8 years working as a factory operations manager.
He then joined the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as an inspector, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where he stayed for 17 years, focusing initially on factories and then construction sites. For two years, he was the HSE lead inspector for the minerals industry, and regularly liaised with the British Ceramic Confederation.
In 2019, Andrew joined the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and worked as the lead inspector for the industrial safety of UK operating nuclear reactors, based in Merseyside.
He added: “It is great now to have the opportunity to return home. It feels like I have come full circle and hopefully, I will finish my career in ceramics.”
BCC Chief Executive Rob Flello added: “We are delighted to welcome Andrew to the team. His passion for the UK ceramics industry is clear and he will be a great asset as he brings with him such a strong skillset. His expertise will prove invaluable in supporting the UK ceramic sector.”