THE company which digs sand and gravel from quarries throughout central Hertfordshire has a new boss.

American Emanuel Rigaux, 38, has taken over as managing director of Lafarge's aggregates division from Robert Whetstone.

He said: "It is a great honour for me to come back as the managing director of our aggregates activity. Robert has had a deep, extremely positive impact on this business, and I strongly believe we can leverage further on the unique assets that we have here in the UK.”

Mr Rigaux, who has managed Lafarge operations in the USA and France, will have reponsibility for the company's many Hertfordshire projects, including sites in Radlett, Tyttenhager, Colney Heath and Panshanger.