The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) announced the appointment of its new president, Mark Allen at the Annual Business Briefing. Replacing outgoing president of two years Mike Dines, Allen is sales director at Mechatherm International, Britain’s largest global aluminium furnace supplier, and boasts over 25 years’ experience in the aluminium industry.
ALFED’s Annual Business Briefing took place at the Tortworth Hotel in Gloucester last week, and was hailed a great success following a record turnout of over 120 delegates from across the UK aluminium supply chain. The yearly conference, aimed at strengthening collaboration between members and providing opportunities for attendees to share data and insights, featured a series of addresses from experts across the industry.
The Business Briefing
Opening the business briefing was Mike Dines, president of ALFED. Opening the event, he said “we’re here not as individuals, but as a collective”; describing the familiarity of the UK aluminium industry, the day begun.
The first half of the day looked at the economic outlook for the industry, focusing both on the UK and the global market. The general economic assessment was collectively described as ‘bleak’. Malindi Myers, Agent for the Southwest, Bank of England noted the slow recovery that the UK economy was embarking from, in response to inflation. Opening her presentation, she spoke with confidence: “unfortunately, things are not so different from last year”. Slight optimism was met with doubt as she anticipated that inflation would return to a normal 2% by spring 2024. But with many unpredictable factors, forecasts must always be taken with a pinch of salt. Reflecting on the UK market, she concluded that “GDP is quite subdued”.
Bruce Alway, Director, Metals Research followed on from Myers, reflecting on the last 3 years. Noting the key events: 2019-2020 Covid-19 and the pandemic, 2021 Indonesia Bauxite ban, 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, 2023 Aluminium listed in the critical materials act, he seemed to have an underlying thread of positivity in his words. Saida Litosh, Director & Lead Analysis, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) went onto comment in the 'disappointing' lack of growth from china's market and concluded that they forecast a more balanced market further into 2024.
After a short break, Gabriel Rozenberg, Founder, Cbamboo and David Jenkins, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, HM Government both discussed the Carbon Border Adjustment Agreement (CBAM) and its affects on the UK and global market relations.
"100,000+ businesses accross teh EU will be subject to CBAM" - Gabriel Rozenberg, Founder, Cbamboo.
The conference also saw the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announce a new Green House Gas standardisation which will be added onto its revered certification. (Find out more on this topic in the AIT Jan/Feb Issue)
The daytime event was followed by ALFED’s annual black-tie dinner and charity casino evening, this year attended by more than 250 members and welcoming special guest speaker, Ed Balls, who delivered the closing after-dinner speech. In his keynote address, Mike Dines announced the end of his presidency, expressing his gratitude to ALFED members and extending his personal support to incoming president, Mark Allen (Image Right).
On his appointment, Mark Allen said: “I am exceptionally proud that ALFED is handing me the baton to help them continue on their journey of growth.”
The dinner also saw the announcement of ALFED board member and ex-president between 2010-11, Colin Davies’ retirement. In his speech, Mike Dines praised Davies for his commitment to ALFED and the Aluminium industry over the years.