Kathy Calverley--new Society president

At the Concrete Society's Annual General Meeting on 2 August, Kathy Calverley was inaugurated as the Society's 37th President, taking over from Ted Kay. Kathy became a Society member 26 years ago, shortly after she joined Blue Circle Cement as a concrete technologist. For 15 years she was secretary

of the South-West region of the Society and spent one year as chairman. Kathy's understanding of the industry is second to none, as she spends her time advising all sectors of the construction industry about best practice in the use of concrete. She is also something of a trendsetter for ladies within this side of the industry, for Kathy is the first lady president of the Society, and was also the first to complete the Institute of Concrete Technology's Advanced Concrete Technology course in the early 1980s.

During her inaugural address, Kathy commented on her background as a member of `the lifeblood - the rank and file membership'. She considers the Society to be `the most multi-disciplinary' that she knows, and reflected on the current transitional situation, where the changes announced at the last AGM are gradually taking shape. In particular, she referred to the Society's redefined role as a centre of technical knowledge, with enhanced dissemination of information on members' current projects, working parties and publications via the internet and the continued and tireless work of the Regions and Clubs. Before closing, Kathy thanked immediate past-president Ted Kay who has been what he promised in his inaugural address - 'a steady hand at the helm'.

Dr John Newman of Imperial College, London, was also welcomed as president designate of the Society. The AGM also saw a change in the post of honorary treasurer, with Gordon Adam, honorary treasurer since 1998, stepping down. He is replaced by Chris Scanlon, an accountant who has been closely involved with the Society for the last few months, assisting with the financial management during this period of change.

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Past-president Ted Kay hands over the chain of office to new president Kathy Calverley.