Soprema UK MD Appointed President of IMA

Laurent Verheyden, Managing Director of SOPREMA UK, the insulation and waterproofing systems manufacturer, has been appointed President of the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA).

As well as his experience leading SOPREMA UK, Laurent brings to the role a clear, practical vision for the future of housing and the role PIR insulation manufacturers play within it, IMA says.

His appointment comes at a time when the construction sector faces increasing regulatory scrutiny, heightened expectations around building performance, and the need to translate policy ambition into consistent, measurable outcomes on site.

New IMA President

Speaking on his appointment, Laurent Verheyden said: “It is a real privilege to be appointed President of Insulation Manufacturers Association. This role carries significant responsibility, not only to the association’s members, but to the wider construction industry and the homes and buildings we collectively help to deliver.

“If we want to build homes that genuinely perform as intended, we must move beyond aspiration and focus on how buildings are designed, specified and constructed in practice. That means clear product information, robust standards and close collaboration between manufacturers, designers and contractors.”

Vision for the Future

A central priority of Laurent’s presidency will be reinforcing the role of IMA as a trusted, independent voice within the construction market. He says the association has a “critical responsibility” not only to represent its members, but also to contribute to industry-wide dialogue, providing clarity, technical leadership and evidence-based guidance.

Laurent is an advocate for the UK Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), alongside compliance with Building Regulations and the Future Homes Standard, frameworks which he says are “essential to restoring confidence and consistency across the sector”.

He continued, “The CCPI represents an important step forward for our sector. As manufacturers, we have a duty to provide clear, accurate and substantiated information that supports informed decision-making. This isn’t about compliance for its own sake; it’s about reinforcing trust, and ensuring the insulation industry remains a credible and responsible contributor to the built environment.”

Collaboration

Laurent also emphasised that his presidency is rooted in “strengthening the collective voice of IMA members”.

“For IMA members, this is about leadership through collaboration. By working together, sharing expertise and holding ourselves to consistently high standards, we can strengthen the reputation of PIR insulation manufacturers and reinforce the value we bring to the construction market,” he added.

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