Adrian Hadley, Head of Technical – Asphalt & Aggregates at Heidelberg Materials, brings nearly 40 years of expertise in UK highways and construction materials. He leads the Heidelberg Materials national technical team and plays a key role in shaping industry standards through MPA and BSI committees. Adrian’s work focuses on material specifications, recycling, and low carbon innovations, with major trials delivered alongside National Highways and Local Authorities. His deep technical knowledge and commitment to sustainable solutions make him a trusted voice in the future of asphalt.
Ian Tomlinson is Technical and Business Improvement Manager at Heidelberg Materials, bringing over two decades of experience in pavement maintenance across roads, airfields, and hardstandings. With a strong focus on early-stage planning, Ian specialises in identifying risks and opportunities to streamline delivery and maximise efficiency. His practical approach simplifies complex requirements, ensuring clarity for teams on the ground. At the heart of his work is collaboration—engaging with stakeholders at the right time to help projects succeed. Ian will be speaking on Contracting, highlighting how this critical function enables successful project execution through smart planning and integrated delivery.
Joel O’Connor is Technical Sales Manager at Heidelberg Materials, bringing over six years of hands-on experience in asphalt and aggregate innovation. He began his career as a LEAD Apprentice, progressing through technical and operational roles before becoming Area Technical Manager, where he led national carbon reporting and RAP optimisation. Joel holds a First Class BSc (Hons) in Minerals Management and has received multiple industry awards for academic and technical excellence. His current focus is on delivering low-carbon HBM solutions that support the decarbonisation of UK highways. Joel’s deep technical expertise and commitment to sustainable infrastructure make him a key contributor to Heidelberg’s mission to build a net-zero future.
Simon Homer is Head of Change at Heidelberg Materials, with a decade of experience spanning customer service leadership and strategic change management. He specialises in connecting people, processes, and systems to drive transformation, with a focus on building capability and capacity across the business. Simon leads the development of digital strategies within an omni-channel customer service framework, ensuring solutions are grounded in real customer insight. His session will explore how change is enabled through people, and why the human difference remains a key business differentiator. Simon is passionate about helping teams navigate change with clarity and purpose.
Clare Evans is the UK Recruitment Lead at Heidelberg Materials, with over 7 years’ experience in talent acquisition across all career stages. She leads recruitment strategy and delivery, from senior hires to apprenticeships and graduate programmes. Clare plays a key role in shaping inclusive, future-focused hiring practices that support long-term workforce planning. Her work addresses industry-wide challenges like an ageing workforce and attracting early career talent—ensuring Heidelberg Materials is equipped for the future.
Philip Matthew is Commercial Director for Bulk Cement and GGBS at Heidelberg Materials, with extensive experience across the UK cement industry. He’s built trusted partnerships across a wide customer and supplier network, helping clients unlock commercial value through insight-driven collaboration. Philip plays a leading role in advancing the decarbonisation of the cementitious sector, championing the adoption of high-quality, low carbon powders to support more sustainable construction practices. As customer demand for sustainable solutions grows, he brings a strategic perspective to how Heidelberg Materials is leading the transition—highlighting the operational CCS plant at Brevik and the forthcoming UK-first CCS facility at Padeswood. His session will explore how commercial leadership and innovation are driving real change in the industry’s carbon footprint.
