Keith Wiggins, Regional General Manager UK, Ireland and Nordic, Dow Chemical Company has been elected the new President of the Chemical Industries Association.

The importance of manufacturing to the economy and the criticality of the chemical industry to the growth agenda will be key themes of Keith’s leadership during his term of office.

Keith Wiggins graduated in chemistry at Imperial College, before embarking on his career with ICI. He worked in various technical roles for six years, before joining Dow Chemical in 1990 to pursue an international commercial career.

Rapidly moving through progressive roles, including sales, strategic account management, business analysis and new business development, he was appointed to his first European business leadership position, as Market Manager in 1995. Through leading courageously, collaboratively and delivering innovative solutions to generate customer value, Keith continued to deliver value growth and successful turnaround of a succession of businesses with increasing size and complexity across EMEA and India. In 2002 he was appointed as Global Business Director and headed up the integration of a major acquisition. During this time he lived in Germany, Switzerland and USA.

In 2007 Keith relocated to UK, assigned as Regional General Manager for Dow in UK, Ireland and Nordic, in addition to his Global Business Director responsibilities. He successfully led both the region and business through a period of intense change, integration and restructuring as part of Dow’s strategic transformation. In 2010/11 the business is in a strong position and the region is performing as one of the most profitable in Dow.

For interviews with Keith please contact Simon marshs@cia.org.uk or +447951 389197