The Fellows Lunch and Student Awards, hosted by the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) and the Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT), return to Symphony Hall in Birmingham on 6 November 2026. This marks the third consecutive year the event takes place at the venue, underlining its importance within the UK highways and construction sectors.
Presidential addresses from IQ and IAT leaders
This year’s event will feature the first public presidential address from Ben Uphill FIQ, who takes over as President of the Institute of Quarrying following Ben Williams’ term. Dr Helen Bailey FIQ, President of the Institute of Asphalt Technology, will also deliver her second and final address as IAT President. Bailey will also chair the Institute of Quarrying during the event, a unique overlap for both organisations.
Uphill described the event as “a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the people who make our industry so strong, from those who have dedicated their careers to the profession to the students and emerging talent who will help shape its future.”
Bailey said the event brought together “those whose experience and leadership have helped shape the profession, alongside the students and emerging professionals who will shape what comes next.” She urged attendees to consider passing on knowledge and experience to the next generation while encouraging fresh thinking to improve the sector.
Event format and setting
The event starts at 12 noon in the Jane How and Justham Family Rooms and will finish around 5pm. Highlights include an awards ceremony recognising achievements within the quarrying and asphalt industries as well as contributions from Minerals Matter. The ceremony honours established professionals alongside students from the University of Derby’s Centre for Mineral Products.
Guests will have opportunities for networking and will enjoy a three-course dinner. Symphony Hall, located in Birmingham’s Centenary Square, is known as one of the world’s finest concert halls and is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. It opened in 1991 and regularly hosts major UK cultural and professional events.
Recognising industry achievement and supporting future leaders
The awards highlight outstanding contributions and help build the professional community needed to sustain UK quarrying, mineral products and asphalt sectors. The focus on students and emerging talent emphasises the importance of nurturing future leaders within these industries.
Companies can support the event through sponsorship packages covering the main event, menu and wine. Sponsorship offers visibility to senior leaders and decision-makers across the quarrying and asphalt sectors, including members of both institutes.
Delegate tickets cost £165 (£137.50 plus VAT). They are available to Fellows of IQ and IAT and their guests. Because places are limited, early booking is advised.
The Fellows Lunch and Student Awards take place on Friday 6 November 2026 at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets and sponsorship enquiries can be made through the respective institute contacts.
Book tickets: https://www.quarrying.org/fellows-lunch-2026
IQ contact: Isaac Azim, Marketing Manager, isaac.azim@quarrying.org, 0115 972 9995
IAT contact: Sandy Sykes, Executive Director, sandy.sykes@instituteofasphalt.org, 0131 359 1010
