Gervais Jacques, Managing Director - Atlantic, at Rio Tinto Aluminium, has been appointed Chair of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), at the 93rd meeting of its Board of Directors in Hong Kong.

Jacques has over 25 years experience across all facets of Rio Tinto's aluminium operations. Prior to his current role, Jacques was Chief Commercial Officer - Rio Tinto Alcan, responsible for all the commercial and marketing activities worldwide for bauxite, alumina and aluminium. As IAI Chair he succeeds Hilde Merete Aasheim, Executive Vice President of Hydro's Aluminium Metal business, at the end of her two-year tenure.

"The role of the Institute, representing the interests of the global aluminium industry, is more important than ever," says Jacques. "I am grateful to my fellow Directors for the trust they have placed in me and thank Hilde for her leadership and commitment to the Institute over the last two years."

"We see growing demand for lightweight, strong, safe and energy efficient aluminium products across all market segments and, through the IAI, we will continue to promote sustainability and resource efficiency along the metal's value chain."

IAI Secretary General Ron Knapp also paid tribute to the leadership of Aasheim: "Hilde's leadership during her term of office and over a period of significant change in the aluminium sector has seen the Institute's work become much more relevant and focussed - it has been a pleasure to work with her and the Hydro team. We are pleased that she will continue to be actively involved in the Institute's work in the coming years as IAI Vice Chair - and we look forward to the next two years under the leadership of Gervais."

About the International Aluminium Institute
The IAI is the global forum of aluminium producers, with 26 member companies, dedicated to the development and wider use of aluminium as a competitive and uniquely valuable material. The IAI in all its activities supports the concept that aluminium is a material that lends itself to improving people's living standards in a sustainable fashion. The IAI continues to promote the sustainability benefits of aluminium applications and a strong aluminium industry through a whole lifecycle approach.
• To build community understanding of aluminium as a material that improves living standards and contributes a sustainable future
• To promote the global market for aluminium products
• To support the industry in meeting challenges from competing mate