CEA appoints new President

Rory Keogh, MD of GOMACO, succeeds Nigel Baseley at Construction Equipment Association

THE Construction Equipment Association (CEA) – the UK trade association which represents construction equipment manufacturers and suppliers – has announced the appointment of Rory Keogh, managing director of GOMACO International, as its new President.

He succeeds outgoing President Nigel Baseley, former sales director of EAME Industrial Power Systems Division of Perkins Engines, who held the role of President since 2014.

Mr Keogh, who has been involved with the construction industry around the world for his entire career, joined concrete construction equipment manufacturers GOMACO International in 1984 as a product support engineer before moving into sales in 1987. In 2001 he was promoted to director of sales and marketing.

He is also a council member of Britpave, the British In-situ Concrete Paving Association, as well as Eupave, the European In-situ Concrete Paving Association, and the UK-based CEA.

Rob Oliver, chief executive of the CEA, said: ‘Rory gives a great perspective on the International construction business. I know he has visited more than 60 countries in pursuit of sales and has done the ‘hard yards’ on the exporting front line.

‘At home, I know he is very committed to the CEA Skills Initiative, which is an important part of the CEA agenda. It’s great, too, that he brings his expertise in the concrete sector to the leadership of our association. We are very much looking forward to working with Rory and welcome him aboard as the incoming CEA President.’

Mr Keogh said it was a privilege to be considered and voted for the role of CEA President at such an exciting time with the new ‘2020 vision’ introduced by Nigel Baseley.

‘I will take up the baton and keep the pace by supporting new technologies and meeting client demands in what is a challenging industry,’ he said. ‘I am also hoping to bring my knowledge and 40 years’ experience of travelling the world and networking to the CEA membership.

‘I am also very passionate about bringing skills into our industry and getting young people involved in all aspects of engineering. The skills shortage is a problem facing industrial developed countries and we are all suffering from a shortage of skilled engineers – I am keen to work on finding UK solutions to this problem with the CEA Skills Council.’

Mr Keogh concluded: ‘I come to the CEA with ‘a different hat’ – having been involved with surfacing, transport, road, rail and airports. I am looking forward to working with the manufacturers of earthmoving machines and the construction equipment industry supply chain.’