JCB’s Phil Layton confirmed as next CECE president

Phil Layton (left) is introduced as the incoming president of CECE at the CECE Summit in Brussels, Belgium (Image courtesy of the CEA)

The announcement was made at the CECE Summit 2025 in Brussels, where Layton was officially welcomed to the role on stage by outgoing president José Antonio Niete. Layton’s presidency will begin in 2026.

The UK’s influence within CECE was further strengthened by the appointment of Construction Equipment Association (CEA) chief executive Viki Bell to the CECE board, following her interim participation earlier this year.

The CEA also confirmed it will host the CECE Congress 2026 at the IET Savoy Place in London from 27–29 October 2026, an event expected to draw industry leaders from across Europe to discuss sustainability, technology, and market access.

Bell said, “Although the UK is no longer part of the Single Market, our manufacturers continue to trade closely with Europe. It’s vital that we stay informed about these changes and their potential impact on trade, compliance, and competitiveness.”

She added, “Hosting CECE 2026 in London is a real honour. It will give us the chance to highlight the innovation and capability within the UK’s construction equipment industry, and to reinforce our ongoing collaboration with European partners.”