An overview of the UK Quality Ash Association.
Launched in 1997, the UKQAA is a Trade Body that represents members involved in the supply or use of coal derived fly ash (CDFA) from pulverised coal fired power stations. With coal fired power generation expected to cease by September 2024, both suppliers and users of CDFA are currently evaluating their future strategy and options.
The UKQAA has also had to adapt and redefine itself for its members. In the past, the primary objective was promoting the use of fly ash and providing technical support to users and suppliers. Over the past 6 years the emphasis has changed and the UKQAA is fully focused on assisting its members to identify future sourcing options as well as highlighting best practices and technologies that may facilitate this.
The UKQAA recognises that one of the answers lies in the development of legacy stockpiles of CDFA and it is estimated that there is well over 100 million tonnes located at currently operating or recently closed power stations. These reserves can be beneficially used by the construction industry for generations to come.
The UKQAA is working with key Government stakeholders help secure the safeguarding of these strategic reserves as well as funding university research into improving our understanding the properties of stockpiles of CDFA.
On this website, you’ll find information relating to our activities, including case studies, datasheets and technical specifications, but if there’s something you’re interesting in finding out more about, please contact us.
Meet the UKQAA team.
Dr. Nigel Cooke.
Director
Dr. Nigel Cooke was appointed Director of the UKQAA in June 2017. Nigel has more than 40 years’ experience in the building materials sector, including time spent at Blue Circle Industries and Lafarge. During his time with Blue Circle and Lafarge, he was seconded to business units in Singapore, Malaysia, Chile, and Switzerland. He also spent 2 years at the Lafarge HQ in Paris working on Group cementitious strategy.
His first experience with Coal Derived Fly Ash (CDFA) was in 1988 when Executive Director for Supermix Concrete Malaysia. However, his education and understanding of this remarkable product only really occurred over the period 1999 to 2010 when he was responsible for developing CDFA partnerships with ScottishPower (ScotAsh), RWE (CelticAsh) and EDF (ProAsh). In addition to receiving numerous environmental accolades, ScotAsh won two Queens Awards for Innovation (2005) and the Environment (2008).
Nigel represents the UKQAA in discussions with key government departments and user groups seeking low carbon construction solutions. He is also the industry sponsor for a PhD project at Dundee University examining the properties of processed CDFA from legacy stockpiles.
Sharon Simpson.
Office Manager & PA
Sharon joined the UK Quality Ash Association in August 2017.
She is a skilled and enthusiastic Administrative Professional with over 30 years’ experience. During her working career she has supported top level Executives by efficiently leading and managing all office related duties and responsibilities.
Commitment to our members.
The UKQAA makes available a wide range of materials designed to educate and inform its members and the wider industry.
From technical guidance and best practice advice to conferences papers, case studies, statistics and research, the UKQAA has a number of reference tools designed to support the industry and provide information on the production and use of coal ash and highlight its technical and environmental benefits.
History of UKQAA.
1997
Ron Hunter.
I was very pleased to be one of the ‘founding fathers’ of UKAA, working proactively across industry to increase the beneficial use of cementitious products. It is heartening to see that this good work continues adding value to construction projects and helping to reduce their carbon footprint.
1997
Chris Bennett.
Chris was involved right at the inception of the UKQAA in 1997. Having recently joined ScottishPower he began his involvement by sitting on the Technical Committee. He was then Technical Chair from 2014 to 2016. After being Executive Vice Chair in 2018 he was Chairman from 2019 to 2021. Although not an officer Chris continues to be an avid supporter of Fly Ash and the UKQAA.
2007
Ivan Skidmore.
Ivan became a member of the Technical Committee of UKQAA in 2007, representing RWE npower, a company that operates a fleet of coal-fired power plants across the UK. During his five-year tenure as Chairman from 2012 to 2017, Ivan transitioned to Power Minerals Limited in 2024, where he continues to represent the company on the Executive Committee. His leadership coincided with a transformative period for the association as the industry adapted to the Large Combustion Plant Directive and the subsequent Industrial Emissions Directive.
Among the noteworthy achievements during Ivan’s time with UKQAA, he played a crucial role in revising the association’s constitution and ethos to be more inclusive of “all those involved in the UK supply chain.” He also addressed regulatory challenges, contributing to the development of the Quality Protocol for PFA and FBA published in 2010, and successfully navigated the complexities of implementing EU Reach Regulations. More recently, Ivan advocated for recognising UK coal ash deposits as a strategically important mineral for the UK, securing this designation in the updated National Planning Policy Framework.
“As we enter the second quarter of this century, I am genuinely optimistic about the direction and resilience of the association as we transition toward a coal-free future for the UK. We are making essential investments in the beneficiation of legacy deposits and import/export infrastructure, providing a critical resource for the cement and concrete industry to meet its decarbonization targets,” remarked Skidmore.
2014
James Bibby.
James was awarded a degree in Geophysics from the University of East Anglia (UEA), before starting his career in the aggregates and asphalt industry with Tarmac, where he gained extensive experience in various technical, quality, and commercial roles. James then transitioned to the readymix concrete sector, taking on technical responsibilities for a range of projects and plants in the south of England.
In 2015, James joined Francis Flower as Group Technical Manager, and the UKQAA. During his tenure, he played a key role in Francis Flower’s technical operations, including the integration of the newly acquired Scunthorpe GGBS plant. Following LKAB’s acquisition of Francis Flower, James advanced to the position of Technical Director, where he oversaw the company’s wide range of industrial minerals, sustainability and R&D programme.
2018
Bridget Rosewell.
Bridget Rosewell CBE, senior adviser at Volterra, has worked with the UKQAA since 2018 – most notably providing support for coal derived fly ash to be designated as a mineral reserve for planning purposes. Bridget’s involvement resulted in CDFA being included in the National Planning Policy Framework as a mineral resource of local and national importance.
