New Group CEO for Breedon, UK

Breedon Aggregates Ltd, the UK’s largest independent aggregates business, announced that Pat Ward, currently CEO of Aggregate Industries Europe (a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim), has agreed to join the company as Group chief executive officer. He will succeed Simon Vivian, who, having led Breedon since its creation has indicated his wish to step down as Group CEO and will move to a non-executive role with the company. 

Mr Ward is expected to join Breedon early next year once the terms of his departure from Aggregate Industries have been agreed.

Mr Ward has over 30 years’ experience in the aggregates and construction industries in the UK, US and Middle East.  Having held a variety of roles with ARC/Hanson, he joined Aggregate Industries in 1995.  After serving in several general management positions in Aggregate Industries UK’s aggregates and asphalt divisions, in 1999 he moved to Denver as Vice President of Aggregate Industries US’s West Central Region, later becoming Senior Vice President of that region, which in 2007 expanded to become the Western and Mid-Atlantic Region. He was appointed CEO of Aggregate Industries in April 2014.

Simon Vivian commented: “I’m tremendously proud of what we have achieved at Breedon and would like to thank everyone who has helped to create the business we have today.  The Company has doubled in size since Breedon’s formation in 2010 and we have a great team with a unique blend of experience and capability.  While moving on is always difficult, I’m convinced that now is the right time for me to do so.  I’ve known Pat for many years and am delighted that he is succeeding me at such an exciting time in Breedon’s development.”

Pat Ward added: “I’m delighted to be joining the UK’s largest independent aggregates business, having watched with interest the great progress made by Breedon since 2010.  It’s clear to me that it has been able to flourish through a combination of the commitment and dedication of its employees and the strong leadership of Peter and Simon.  This dedication is also apparent in the company’s visible commitment to Zero Harm across the entire business.

“I look forward to playing my part in the next leg of Breedon’s journey.”