The mission of the Clay Technology subgroup is to promote heavy clay technology on a UK and international basis and to provide members with opportunities to broaden their professional outlook, skills and qualifications, thus enabling them to face change with greater confidence and thereby help secure a dynamic future for the heavy clay industry.
The Clay Technology subgroup was formerly known as ICTa, which was founded in 2006 following the merger of the Institute of Clay Technology and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Our key activities include the organisation of the Claytech UK conference which has been running since 2002, plus the development of technical courses for the benefit of all in the industry, from new starters to experienced employees.
The Clay Technology subgroup aims to continually improve the provision of courses and to provide technical meetings, events, education and training and local networking opportunities through local societies to the industry.
We are here as a resource to help you further your career, from networking to supporting you to improve your technical skills and knowledge.
Meet the Clay Technology Subgroup Committee:
Andy Carp MIMMM
Paula Wardle CEng MIMMM
David Willett FIMMM
Andy Carp MIMMM
Andy is a Chartered Geologist who has worked in the heavy clay and wider minerals industry since 1980 in manufacturing, consultancy, laboratory testing of clays, education and mineral supply.
He started Resource UK in 1980, specialising in geological and ceramic consultancy, mineral planning and sourcing clays and other minerals for use in brick and tile manufacture and engineering, particularly flood defence works. He also has an interest in heavy clay and agricultural development in West Africa, and renewable energy. He has taken a keen interest in education in the heavy clay sector, leading the development of the Foundation Degree in Clay Technology course currently offered by the University of Derby.
Previous employments have included G.H. Downing, Steetley Building Products and Redland Bricks where his responsibilities included Company Geologist and laboratory management, including gaining QA Accreditation for the company Central Laboratory at Steetley. He then spent five years in Technical Management at the mineral processing factory of Washington Mills Electro Minerals in Manchester before moving into consultancy with Halletec Associates where he developed mineral planning skills including acting as Expert Witness at two public enquiries
Paula Wardle CEng MIMMM
Paula is currently working for Ibstock PLC as the Technical Learning & Development Manager, where she is responsible for ensuring that the processes, plans and solutions are in place to ensure all employees develop the Production, Engineering & Technical capabilities required to meet the needs of the business now and in the future.
Paula started her career as a technical R&D chemist with Tioxide UK, she left to go to Sheffield University, from where she graduated with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering. She went on to work for British Gas, Aga-Rayburn and Struers UK in various roles, before moving into a Lean Consultancy role with Ceramics Industry Forum (CIF) in 2001. She joined Ibstock Brick Ltd as their Continuous Improvement and Training Manager in 2011, moving into the group L&D role in 2018.
David Willett FIMMM
I have worked in the heavy clay products industry since 1984 in various production and technical positions, manufacturing clay drainage pipes, terra cotta, roof tiles and bricks. I have been a member of the Institute of Clay Technology and subsequently ICTa for the majority of that time, with spells as Chair and Secretary of the Notts & Derby local society.
My current role is as Sustainability and Improvement Manager for Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC, involving technical support for both customers and the company sales and production departments, plus quality, energy and environmental management systems.
