Mr Pat Kenna, WTIA President, noted that Mr Smallbone’s appointment would be only the second time that a representative from a southern hemisphere member-country has been appointed to this prestigious position in the 56-year history of the IIW. It is a significant achievement for Australia and Australian industry. Chris has given 30 years service to the IIW and the welding industry world-wide.

The IIW, headquartered in Paris, was founded in 1948 and has the mission to be the global body in the science and industrial application of joining technology. Experts from around the world collaborate in over 25 working units to investigate the scientific phenomena associated with welding and allied processes, their more efficient industrial application and the means of technology diffusion globally.

Chris chaired the working group that initiated the new IIW Education, Training and Qualification programmes for welding personnel on an international basis, now adopted in 32 countries, and is currently the IIW Director with the responsibility for developing and implementing the IIW key strategy on Regional Activities and Liaison with Developing Countries, as well as the Convenor of the Task Force for Certification.

He is a qualified Mechanical and International Welding Engineer and a Professional Chartered Engineer in both Australia and the UK. Chris came to Australia in 1995 from South Africa where he was instrumental in building the very successful SAIW and South African Skills Foundation.