As from the 1st of January 2016, Mrs. Caroline Ciuciu, former EU Public Affairs Director, Albemarle Europe has joined EPCA to prepare for the handover on 1 January 2017 of the EPCA Chief Executive Officer function when Mrs. Demeestere retires on 31 December 2016. In 2016 Mrs. Ciuciu will act as Deputy Executive Officer and in particular will be in charge of project management for Supply Chain & Logistics and Talent & Diversity Inclusion. In addition she will be involved in different topics linked to the management of EPCA. Mrs. Ciuciu is a lawyer by training and has 17 years’ experience in EU policy and regulatory affairs. She has held a variety of positions in private companies and Trade Associations in the segments of Nuclear energy, metals and mining as well as chemicals. In the communications department, Mr. Omar Mockbil has joined EPCA as Community & Communication Officer, working to develop EPCA’s digital communications whilst supporting other communications initiatives. Mr. Mockbil reports to Mrs. Nathalie Debuyst, Communication & Education Manager of EPCA. Mr. Mockbil has a background in business with an MBA, and prior to joining EPCA he worked as a consultant, namely in communications and public affairs. 2016 marks a milestone for EPCA as it will be holding its 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting, from the 1- 5 October in Budapest. The theme of this year’s edition is “50 years of the Petrochemical Industry. What’s next?” featuring a thought provoking program with world-class speakers. By reinforcing its team, EPCA prepares for the future to continue to serve as a network platform to meet and exchange ideas, transfer learning and think tank for its members and stakeholders.