Aluminium Allies

A peer-led initiative empowering the next generation of professionals to connect, innovate, and shape the future of the aluminium industry.

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Our Purpose

About Aluminium Allies

Aluminium Allies is a new initiative launched by the Aluminium Federation (ALFED) to connect, inspire and empower the next generation of professionals across the aluminium industry. Born out of ALFED’s “Framework for the Next Generation” work, the programme recognises that the future of aluminium is not just about technology or investment - it’s about people.

The Allies provide a visible, peer-led platform for early and mid-career professionals who want to play an active role in shaping the future of our sector. This is not about age, but about attitude: it is for anyone eager to grow, lead, and champion progress in areas such as sustainability, recycling, trade, policy, manufacturing, and innovation.

Why Aluminium Allies?

The initiative was created to:

Bring visibility and recognition to emerging talent across the UK aluminium sector.
Build meaningful cross-sector connections through peer learning, networking, and mentoring.
Support new voices in contributing to ALFED’s strategic priorities and policy engagement.
Strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the industry by developing its people.

In short, Aluminium Allies exists to showcase fresh perspectives, support new entrants, and create a collaborative, inclusive future for aluminium.

Meet the Aluminium Allies

Lucy Thomas

Raw Materials Procurement Manager, UK & Ireland – Norsk Hydro

8 years at Norsk Hydro
Background in scrap purchasing, yard operations, and raw materials inspection
Holds a degree in International Business Economics (University of Manchester) and an Executive MBA (Cardiff Met)
Board member of Women in Recycling

Andy Smith

Purchasing Manager - The Metal Centre (Amari Metals)

12+ years in the metals industry
Experience in finance, accounting, digital transformation, and operations
Focuses on strategic purchasing and continuous improvement
Supports newcomers and talent development in the industry

Ellie Beckenham

Procurement Business Support – Amari Metals Ltd

Entered the metals industry in 2021
Previously worked at Servosteel and Acerinox
Focuses on supply chain analysis, carbon emissions, and CBAM policies
Enjoys travel, netball, and crafting

Summer Connolley

Executive Assistant to the Directors – Countrywide Metals Ltd

Third-generation in the metal recycling industry
Experience in admin, HR, sales, exports, and compliance
Manages export contracts and sales ledger
Board member of Women in Recycling, advocates for female representation

Josh Brough

Business Development Director – JBM International Ltd

Chair of the Young Traders Group, Bureau of International Recycling
15+ years in aluminium scrap and secondary aluminium
Focus on sustainability, carbon neutrality, and environmental compliance
Holds an MSc in Real Estate
Passionate about mentoring and promoting careers in the recycling industry

Meet our Partners

What the Aluminium Allies Do

Over the coming months, the Allies will:

Lead visibility campaigns to highlight diverse perspectives across the sector.
Join events, site visits and roundtables, building connections and sharing experiences.
Contribute to policy consultations and industry discussions.
Support the next generation through mentoring and judging ALFED’s Apprentice of the Year Award.
Feed directly into ALFED’s strategic priorities, ensuring future leaders have a voice at the table.

Building Resources for the Next Generation

Alongside visibility and engagement, with the help of the Aluminium Allies, ALFED will be helping to design and launch new resources to support people at all stages of their career.

Planned initiatives include:

A New Starter Toolkit for those joining the aluminium sector.
Access to dedicated training resources tailored to industry skills and development.
A new platform to showcase job opportunities, alongside information on partners who can support career progression, mentoring and professional development.

These resources will help ensure that talent entering the sector is supported from the outset and has the tools to build a long-term career.

Leaders

Recent Highlights

Aluminium Allies Visit the London Metal Exchange

ALFED’s Aluminium Allies programme began 2026 with an exclusive visit to the London Metal Exchange (LME), giving members rare behind-the-scenes access to the global centre of industrial metals trading.

Accompanied by Nadine Bloxsome, Rachel Wiffen and Sophie Allen, the group stepped directly into the world of price discovery, risk management and global aluminium flows, gaining an important opportunity to better understand the market mechanisms that underpin day-to-day commercial decisions across our industry.

Read more about the Allies’ visit here: Aluminium Allies Visit the London Metal Exchange – ALFED

Next Steps

Aluminium Allies have an ambitious programme of activity ahead:

Judging panel participation for ALFED’s Apprentice of the Year Award.
A “Meet the Allies” campaign to introduce the first cohort of professionals.
Networking sessions at ALFED’s Business Briefing and Dinner in November.
A growing programme of site visits, workshops, and showcase panels into 2026.

The long-term vision is to create a sustainable, visible structure where emerging talent not only develops their careers but also contributes directly to industry-wide progress.

Join Us

Get Involved

If your organisation would like to:

Nominate a colleague to join Aluminium Allies,
Support an upcoming event, or
Simply learn more about the programme,

please contact the ALFED team.

Together, we can support a new generation of leaders who are connected, confident, and ready to take the aluminium industry forward.