UK ceramics trade body announces its first female vice president

The trade association for the ceramics industry will welcome its first female vice president onto its Board later this year, who brings with her a wealth of industry experience.

Hannah Ault, managing director of Stoke-on-Trent-based Valentine Clays Ltd, has agreed to take up the role on the British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) Board of Directors.

The BCC is the trade association for the UK ceramic manufacturing industry, representing all sectors of the industry. Its member companies cover the full spectrum of ceramic manufacturing, including the supply of materials, and comprise more than 90 per cent of the industry’s manufacturing capacity.

Rob Flello, Chief Executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, said: “We are delighted that Hannah has agreed to take on the role of vice president. Her background, knowledge and passion for the ceramics sector has already strengthened the Board, and we look forward to what the future will bring as we continue to raise awareness of the UK ceramic industry’s needs.

“Being the first female Vice President is a quite an accolade in this forward-thinking industry, especially as she will become the Board’s President in two years’ time. It is a significant milestone for an organisation that has been supporting the UK ceramics industry for nearly 100 years.”

Hannah, who has grown up within the ceramics industry and is a third-generation leader in clay manufacturing, said her mission was to grow awareness of the sector and increase nationwide support via education and skills.

She added: “I feel hugely honoured to be asked to represent an industry that I am extremely proud to be a part of and one that impacts all aspects of our lives.

“Without the ceramics industry, we wouldn’t be using mobile phones, driving cars, or flying into outer space. It’s an industry that forms a significant part of our economy and heritage, which is why I am making it my mission to do whatever I can to raise its awareness. We need the future generation to realise that we are an industry of choice, that we have all levels of great opportunities for career development, that we are more than just tableware and hospitality too.”

When the bi-annual Board rotation occurs in the summer, current BCC President Edward Naylor, Chief Executive Naylor Industries Plc, will become the Deputy President, with Alan McLelland, Vice President of Technology at Morgan Advanced Materials, stepping into the President role.

Edward said: “Hannah has a real passion for the ceramic industry, and I think she will, in due course, be an absolutely fabulous President.”

Hannah’s roles within the local community also include Board Director of the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, most recently a Director of Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, as well as chair of Staffordshire County Council’s We Are Staffordshire Place campaign.