WCA announces new President

Wei Rushan succeeds Association’s founding President Song Zhiping who retired last week

THE World Cement Association (WCA) has appointed Wei Rushan as President of the Association, replacing founding President Song Zhiping on his retirement last week. Mr Rushan is president and executive director of China National Building Materials Co. Ltd (CNBM), the world’s largest cement producer.

With extensive experience in strategy, investment and capital management, and transformation and development, Mr Rushan has been the president and executive director of CNBM since December 2022, having had a range of senior roles within CNBM Group over the last 15 years.

He also serves as President of China Building Materials Engineering Construction Association and was honoured with the First Prize for China’s National Enterprise Management Modernization in 2018 and the First Prize for National Building Material Enterprise Management Modernization Innovation Achievement in 2019.

Speaking at the closing of the WCA’s annual conference in Dubai last week, Mr Rushan said: ‘As a platform for communication and exchange, the WCA shall follow the principles of openness, inclusiveness, connectivity, and win-win co-operation, and continue to provide value-added services to its members through annual conferences, member forums, professional committee activities etc.

‘There is an African proverb, ‘One person can go faster, but a group of people can go further’. Let’s work together, build consensus, and create a healthier and more sustainable future for the industry.’

Ian Riley, chief executive officer of the WCA, said: ‘On behalf of the board and employees at the WCA, I would like to express our gratitude to Song Zhiping for his invaluable contribution in founding and nurturing the WCA. Wei Rushan brings a new range of skills and ideas that will mark a new chapter in the WCA’s growth. I am excited to work with him for the good of the whole cement industry.’