Composites UK has announced that Alan Banks, Lightweight Structures Supervisor within Innovation and Research at Ford Motor Company, has been appointed by its Board of Directors as the Association’s chairman.
Banks’ remit with the Innovation and Research team is to lead projects with light-weighting technologies and applications in design with mass production capability. This remit includes material choices from advanced steel to full composite structures, including hybrid technology to produce the best value for automotive applications.
Banks was the team leader on the Composite Lightweight Automotive Suspension System (CLASS) project, which won the JEC World Automotive Application Innovation category in 2018. Banks joined the Composites UK Board in 2020 and has served as one of two communication directors since then, assisting the communications team with the marketing and events of the Association. He has been elected into the role as chairman until 2024.
“I am delighted to be taking up the role of chairman of Composites UK,” stated Banks. “I am really looking forward to tackling the challenges we all face in a drive for sustainability and net-zero CO2 to make a significant contribution to the health of the planet. Composites will make a substantial contribution towards this goal and with the technology we have in the UK and the global reputation that the UK has, the future is really bright.
“Where I want to position Composites UK in my tenure as Chair is as an enabler of the whole industry, from manufacturers of precursor and fibre to manufacturers of end products, to grow and showcase our unique ability. I also want Composites UK to lead and drive the LCA discussion and to laser focus on the opportunities we have within the glass fibre industry. Glass has already become and will continue to grow into an important arena to help on our path to sustainability and how we use the material sustainably is something I’m personally passionate about.”
Composites UK would like to thank outgoing chairman, John Toner, of Teledyne CML Composites.
“On behalf of the Board and the Executive Team, I would like to thank John for the huge contribution he has made to Composites UK,” said Composites UK’s CEO, David Bailey. “During his tenure as Chair, John has guided the development of a new five-year strategy for Composites UK and has championed sustainability as a key priority for our industry. I look forward to working with Alan as the new Chair of Composites UK, building on the foundations laid by John and raising the profile of the UK’s Composites Sector.”
The Board comprises 11 Directors elected by the members from within the membership. The Board is responsible for governance of the Association. Directors serve a two-year term of office, with voting for 2022 – 24 taking place in April where the results will be announced on 18th May at the Composites UK online Annual General Meeting.
“We are entering a period of change not seen since the first industrial revolution and we have the potential to create jobs, create wealth and make the world a better place,” concluded Banks. “I hope you will join with me to realise these important goals. We have the tools and we need to turn words to actions. Let’s go and do it!”
