The World Cement Association (WCA) has announced the appointment of Philippe Richart as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership transition at a time of significant change for the global cement industry. Richart succeeds Ian Riley, who joined the Association in 2019 and played a key role in strengthening WCA’s position as an independent and credible voice for cement producers worldwide.

Richart brings more than 30 years of international leadership experience in the cement sector, with extensive exposure across Asia, Africa and Europe. He began his professional career as a construction engineer before moving into the cement industry in the mid-1990s. Over the years, he held senior roles at Lafarge, later Holcim, spanning project development, operations, market entry and regional executive management.

His career includes leading cement and concrete businesses at both country and regional levels, managing acquisitions and joint ventures, and working closely with governments, financial institutions and local partners. Having operated across high-growth as well as volatile markets, Richart brings a deep understanding of the diverse economic, regulatory and competitive environments in which cement companies operate.

Welcoming the appointment, Rong Yakun, Secretary General, World Cement Association, said, “I wish to extend my welcome to Philippe Richart as the new CEO of WCA, and I am looking forward to working together with him towards the growth of WCA and continuing to provide services to the global cement industry.”

Commenting on his new role, Philippe Richart, CEO, World Cement Association, said, “The cement industry is rapidly changing to respond to challenges such as carbon emission reductions, global overcapacity and rising energy costs. In this context, WCA is an important platform for collaboration, sharing best practices and advancing the interests of the global cement industry.”

As CEO, Richart plans to strengthen member engagement and ensure the Association continues to represent the full diversity of the global cement sector. He has identified sustainability and decarbonisation, alongside innovation, digitalisation and advanced technologies, as central priorities for the industry’s future.