Welsh Slate, based in north Wales and working the quarries at Penrhyn and Cwt-Y-Bugail, has appointed a new managing director.

He is Mark Hodgkinson, who takes over from Chris Allwood (who is staying with the Lagan Group, which owns Welsh Slate).

Mark Hodgkinson has been Production Director of the company for the past 11 years and before that was Welsh Slate’s Business Development Manager.

His expertise with slate goes back even further than that, to the time when, as an independent consultant, he worked extensively with the company in redefining manufacturing processes and material planning, and improving productivity.

A keen sportsman, Mark has also had consultancy roles with foundries, in clay quarrying and processing, and with construction companies.

Now he will be leading Welsh Slate, the UK's largest producer of natural slate, through a testing period for the UK construction sector.

He believes that the versatility of Welsh Slate – used for roofing, cladding, flooring, paving and walling, decorative aggregates and worktops – means there are many opportunities ahead.

He says: “Welsh Slate is fortunate in that it is a much sought after material for heritage and specified projects, but it is important for our customers that we continue to provide sustainable reserves of material, innovative use of materials, and value for money, and I am looking forward to driving that on behalf of the company.

“However, we will never lose our craft. We have an incredibly passionate and resilient team, who, while honouring it, have not been scared to develop other skill sets to remain competitive. I am proud to be a part of that team and part of the Lagan Group. We are the custodians of what many people, not just us, will tell you is the best slate in the world.”