Centre for Mineral Products

Head of Centre for Mineral Products

Originally a Mechanical/Mining Engineer with British Coal. He moved to Hanson in 1995 and graduated with a BEng in Quarry and Road Construction from the University of Leeds in 1998.

During an exceptional career with Hanson, Mark worked in a number of operational and management roles.

In 2005 Mark joined the IQ as their Educational Lead where his role involved close work with the team at Doncaster College delivering the Industry’s professional qualifications.

Mark joined the University of Derby in 2007 as the Provision Leader for the Quarry and Asphalt programmes and then became the Head of the Centre for Mineral Products in 2012.

Mark is a member of the IQ, an associate member of the IAT and, through his postgraduate qualification in learning and teaching, Mark is also a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Contact: m.osbaldeston@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)1332 591763

Academic Lead for all the Centre’s Asphalt and Pavements Programmes

Helen graduated from the University of Leeds in 2005 with first-class honours in Architectural Engineering. From there she went on to work in the Aggregate Industries asphalt research and development department, completing a number of projects and her PhD.

Helen later worked in the field of asphalt recycling and tar remediation before joining TRL in 2012. During her time at TRL, Helen contributed to an international team and undertook work across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Since leaving TRL in 2015, Helen has set up her own consultancy, Driven, which allows her to remain an active part of the industry she loves, while also leading the asphalt programmes within the centre.

Helen is a Chartered Engineer with the IAT (Institute of Asphalt Technology) via the CIHT (Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation), and council member of both the Institute of Asphalt Technology and Institute of Quarrying.

Helen is programme leader for a number of the Centres Asphalt and Pavement and Materials modules, such as Asphalt Technology, Pavement Solutions and Construction Products Technology.

Contact: h.bailey@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)1332 597958

Programme Leader - Higher Apprenticeship, Mineral Products Technology

David started his career working for British Coal, working at various collieries around the UK. In 1989 he graduated from Leeds University with a 2:1 Honours Degree in Mining Engineering. He then went on to work as a Mining Engineering Consultant for British Coal, Rock Mechanics Technology Ltd and International Mining Consultants Ltd.

In 2001 David left the mining industry and started a new career initially as a mathematics teacher in secondary schools across the East Midlands, progressing to become an Assistant Headteacher.

David joined the University of Derby in 2018 as the Programme Leader for the Higher Apprenticeship.

Academic Lead for all the Centre’s Mineral Extractives Programmes

Chris’s wide, varied and in-depth experience of the International Mineral Products sector is impressive. He has(35 years of international and multi-cultural experience, which can only add value to our increasing international market).

Until recently, Chris was the Quarries, Asphalt and Concrete Manager for Dantata and Sawoe Construction (Nigeria). In addition, Chris has undertaken similar roles in Zambia, Qatar, UAE, Oman and the UK. Chris is a graduate of the Doncaster College of Minerals and Mining and, in addition, he studied Materials Technology at the University of Leeds.

Chris’s role is academic Lead for Mineral Extractives and support Lecturer for a wide range of the Centres modules.

Contact: c.rowan@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)1332 597963

Programme Lead for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Minerals Management and the Clay Programmes

John graduated from The University of Nottingham in 1995 with a 2:1 BEng in Mining Engineering. From there he has spent the last 25 years working at a number of different operations in the UK and South Africa both on the surface and underground.

In addition, John has technical and practical mining, quarrying, and processing experience, in sand, coal, limestone, dimensional stone and industrial minerals.

He is a Chartered Mining Engineer and a Fellow of IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining), a member of IQ (Institute of Quarrying) and a Chartered Environmentalist with IEMA (Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment).

John’s joined the Centre for Mineral Products in 2019 as the programme lead for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Minerals Management and the Clay programmes.

Contact: J.austin@derby.ac.uk or +44 (0)1332 597772

Programme Leader for all Concrete Programmes

With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Dr Nizar started his career as design Civil Engineer working for Atkins Consultancy and then after 9 years he joined Tarmac, then Scott Wilson (now AECOM) as Board Technical Director and then re-joined Tarmac to Head up and lead their innovation programme. Dr Nizar was the President and Board Chairman of the Mineral Industry Research Organisation (MIRO) and he led the Board of Directors and the Council from 2008 until 2016. Dr Nizar then worked in Qatar as Leading Expert for Ashghal where he was responsible for their infrastructure projects and for implementing innovation in their construction programme.

Throughout his career, Dr Nizar worked in pavement design, construction and evaluation, Asset Data Managements, innovation and intelligence, carbon capture and Net Zero carbon strategy development and assisted the Government Group led by Sir John Vincent Cable MP to develop the UK strategy for CCSR and Net Zero carbon.

Dr Nizar is a self-motivated senior leader with exceptional skills in people, project and financial managements and enjoys challenging construction schemes and research and innovation that bring added value to the projects. Dr Nizar is well recognised in the UK and Europe and has established over the years an extensive network of high level and senior connections with Government Bodies, clients, specifiers, consultants, suppliers and academia.

Contact: N.Ghazireh@derby.ac.uk

Senior Lecturer in Mineral Products

Nigel obtained a HND in Minerals Processing and Materials Reclamation at Doncaster College in 1986 before transferring to Leeds University Department of Mining and Minerals where he obtained a BEng in Minerals Engineering and a PhD in the Mathematical modelling of crusher circuits in 1992.

Nigel then worked in the coal industry as a process engineer in the design and operation of modular dense medium washing plants, before transferring to industrial minerals with Omya in 1998.

After completing an MBA in 1999, Nigel became a Plant Manager, Engineering Manager and then Head of Operations for Omya UK, finally transferring to Sustainability as Head of Quality, Safety, Health and Environment for Omya in West Europe.

Nigel is a Chartered Engineer and a member of IQ, MIMM and AIOSH with over 30 years’ experience in differing roles within the Minerals Industry.

He joined the C4MP in 2022 as Senior Lecturer in Mineral Products.

Contact: n.barrett@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)7721 343257