People 7
In the August edition of Fuel Oil News magazine, we chatted with Luc Smets, general manager at Prax Lindsey oil refinery, to discover more about the man behind the industry success – from his clear pride in his family, through his recent achievements, to his love of chocolate.
In the July edition of Fuel Oil News magazine, we chatted with Peter Davidson, executive director of the Tank Storage Association.
Speaking of his family, recent achievements and a love of chocolate, we chat with Luc Smets, general manager at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery to discover more about the man behind industry success.
Essar has announced the appointment of Deepak Maheshwari as chief executive officer for Essar Oil (UK) Ltd (EOUK).
Deepak joins EOUK, an important asset in the energy portfolio of Essar Global Fund, at a transformative juncture as it accelerates its transition to a ‘Low Carbon Energy Provider’ of the future.
As CEO, Deepak will work closely with the EOUK Board on the delivery of a number of strategic energy transition projects aimed at making Stanlow a green refinery to meet the post-carbon needs of a progressive UK.
Amongst these are HyNet (a low carbon hydrogen energy and carbon capture project) which will transform the North West of England and North Wales into one of the world’s first low carbon industrial clusters, together with the building of a biofuels business which will include production of both renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
With more than 25 years’ senior leadership experience across the utilities, energy, and infrastructure sectors in Europe and Asia, Deepak will lead an experienced management team and further strengthen corporate governance within the ESG framework.
EOUK chairman, Prashant Ruia, said: “We are delighted to welcome Deepak to EOUK. His immense corporate experience will prove invaluable during such an important period of growth for the company, which is aiming to be a leading player in the transition towards a sustainable society by delivering cleaner energy solutions.”
Deepak commented: “I am delighted to be joining EOUK as chief executive officer and look forward to building on the impressive legacy that Essar colleagues have created. The UK’s green economy continues to develop and flourish, and the Board and I will work hard to ensure EOUK sits at the fulcrum of the UK’s sustainable, low carbon future.”
Having recently been promoted to the role of inland sales manager at Mabanaft Clare Charlton is enjoying the challenge and responsibility and is also looking forward to working with the management team as the company develops its supply of more sustainable fuels.
Maintaining high levels of service
Clare joined Mabanaft in 2019 as a key account manager and has risen rapidly to take on this new role. The inland sales department is responsible for selling fuel to a diverse range of customers, from resellers, distributors and commercial/end users to bunkering network users and supermarkets. Clare will be working with her team to ensure that all customers’ needs are met and that the high levels of service that the company is renowned for are diligently maintained.
Building lasting relationships
Clare said: “I am enjoying the challenge and responsibility of my new role at Mabanaft. I love the company ethos of building strong and lasting relationships with customers, it’s something everyone here buys into. I also really like the people, there’s a good team spirit and plenty of positive collaboration which makes for a great working environment.”
Supporting customers through changing times
“The last 18 months have been dominated by the global pandemic. People still needed fuel and I am proud of how my team managed to support customers and deliver excellent service throughout. Our industry is undergoing massive change and I am looking forward to working with the management team to seek new opportunities to support the transition to new and more sustainable fuels.”
Carrie Marsh, managing director of Marsh Fuels and Master Elect of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers, has won a Lord Mayor of London Covid-19 award for services within the Livery.
Carrie met with the Lord Mayor of London on 19th July, where she was presented with the award, as well as a wonderfully aromatic mint tea grown in the UK and Mansion House bone china mug.
This special edition of awards in light of Covid-19, usually held annually by the Lord Mayor in London for business, recognised the unsung community heroes helping others through the pandemic. From hundreds of nominations spanning the length and breadth of the city, 13 winners were chosen in three categories: crisis response, delivering differently and community champions, plus the Mayor of London Young Londoners Awards.
A worthy winner, during the last 15 months Senior Warden Carrie Marsh, has been writing a weekly blog to lift members’ spirits, especially for those not online, designed for the initial 12 weeks of lockdown and then extended until all members could meet again in person. Telling us more about the upcoming meeting, Carrie said: “The date for that has finally been set for 26th August this year, with the last – and 70th blog – to be sent on the 25th August!”
As well as boosting morale, Carrie also made face masks for the membership and donated the proceeds of these to the Fuellers Charitable Trust Fund. Not stopping at making masks, Carrie said: “The Trust
Essar is pleased to announce the further strengthening of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Karunakaran (Karan) Hari as chief commercial officer for Essar Oil UK.
The winner of UKIFDA’s Young Person of the Year Award, which was launched this year to recognise the achievements of rising stars in the industry has been announced.
Essar Oil (UK) Limited (EOUK) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Bullock as independent non-executive director.
Attis Credit Solutions is a new name to the sector but is made up of a team of specialist credit insurance brokers whose experience spans over 70 years. Recently founded by Paul Martin and Steve Hamstead, you can read more about Attis in our July issue of Fuel Oil News.
Margaret Major recently caught up with Miriam James, managing director of Silvey Fleet.
From what was once a traditionally male dominated industry, greater diversity is being seen every day within distribution companies, suppliers and trade bodies. We spoke with Emily Yates, who joined Craggs Energy in 2015, about her role as a young, female fuel oil distributor.
Fresh blood
I joined the Craggs’ new apprenticeship scheme in 2015, called ‘Craggs Academy’ which was created to entice young people to learn about the industry and join the fuels sales world. This worked brilliantly, as myself and two others that joined the academy are still working for Craggs Energy to this day.
After completing the apprenticeship, Craggs offered me a full-time position in the customer service department, a role which I filled for around two years, before moving into a domestic and agriculture sales role. Around the same time, I started making fuel deliveries in the evenings and weekends in our 4×4.
A new challenge
Prior to joining Craggs, I went to college, completed a qualification in childcare, learning and development and, during this time, I worked in schools and nurseries in Calderdale. I quickly fancied a change in career and saw the apprenticeship advertised. I knew I wanted to learn something completely new and challenge myself with something very different to what I had been doing.
Craggs Energy not only gave me that challenge but helped massively with self-confidence. I’ve come on leaps and bounds since joining the company and have not looked back since. Talking to customers over the phone and face to face on fuel deliveries has helped in a big way.
I love the fact that I can be in the office selling fuel and lubricants during the day and, once the office is closed, I am out and about meeting customers face to face whilst delivering their fuel. I cover the whole of our deliverable area in the 4×4 for emergency run outs and hard to access properties. I love going to new places and meeting new people too.
Settling in
I settled in quickly to what has previously been a male dominated industry. I had a lot of support from my managers at Craggs, including our CEO Chris Bingham – he has really helped me get to where I am today, and I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me over the years. When I first wanted to make fuel deliveries, I went to Chris with the idea and he was over the moon. Chris, alongside other managers, helped to make it happen.
Although I have been making deliveries for almost four years now, a lot of people are still surprised when they see me turn up with their fuel. The majority are happy to see a woman working hard and getting the job done, just as well as anybody else could. I believe there is no reason or barriers to prevent women joining the operations side of this industry and making deliveries. From a Landrover to a ridged, to an artic, why not? It would be brilliant to see a lot more women doing these roles.
Looking ahead
Now, I am extremely keen to get my HGV and ADR licence to be able to deliver on tankers as well as the 4×4. I have just recently moved job roles from a sales role to becoming part of the transport team and helping out with operations. I am more than willing to better my skills in a wide range of job roles with Craggs Energy.
Essar Oil UK is pleased to announce the further strengthening of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Mark Pennifold as chief people officer.
In the March issue of Fuel Oil News magazine, with April marking the first anniversary of her retirement, we caught up with Jane Raphael, a familiar face to many of you as the former editor of Fuel Oil News magazine. Find out a little more about the person responsible for bringing you all the news from the industry for over 21 years.
bp announces that Peter Mather, bp’s UK head of country and senior vice president for Europe, will leave the company at the end of the year.
Peter has been UK head of country and regional president for Europe since 2010 and recently established bp’s new regions, cities & solutions entity across the UK and continental Europe. It caps a distinguished career of almost 40 years working in upstream, refining and supply, gas and power, trading, shipping, and commercial leadership roles across several countries.
William Lin, executive vice president regions, cities & solutions, said: “We’re immensely grateful for Peter’s unwavering commitment to bp over his career. We will miss not only his sound counsel but his ability to represent the company and skillfully manage a broad set of relationships across the UK and continental Europe.”
It is with great sadness that Fuel Oil News reports the passing of Anthony Hoctor (known to most as Terry), proprietor and founder of Speed Oil Services and former director of what was the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS).
Peter Turner
It is with great sadness that Fuel Oil News reports the passing of Peter Turner, former managing director of Rix Petroleum, on the evening of Friday 22nd January 2021
Holly Needham, granddaughter of Jim Callow, the founder of Stourport-based Callow Oils, celebrated her 21st birthday by giving back to a charity close to the heart of the family, Parkinson’s UK. The charity has been extremely helpful to Jim and his family over the years since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012.
Essar Oil (UK) Limited, which owns and operates the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, announces the further strengthening of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Stephen McCaffrey as chief financial officer.
Stephen is highly experienced in the Oil and Gas, Renewables and Infrastructure sectors and has specialist expertise in financial control, business development, strategic planning and working capital and project finance management and implementation. Having spent 13 years at Greenergy, the last four as chief financial officer, he has a detailed understanding of the UK downstream industry.
Most recently CFO at Avenir LNG Limited, he has also previously held roles with the BOC Group, Merrill Lynch and PWC. He holds a degree in business (accounting and finance) and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia.
Essar chief executive officer, Stein Bye, said: “This is an important and strategic appointment for the company, with Stephen bringing with him a wealth of experience at the very highest level. The year ahead will be key to our long term sustainability as we look to recover from the effects of Covid-19 and transform our business to meet the demands of a low carbon economy and deliver the energy solutions of the future for the UK.”
Energy industry professional Ken Cronin is to become the new chief executive of UKIFDA replacing current CEO Guy Pulham who leaves on February 4th 2021.
Renee Semiz will assume the position of managing director, UK marketing, Phillips 66 Limited in January 2021. Renee relocates to the UK from Phillips 66’s Houston office in the USA and takes over from Mary Wolf who, following a smooth transition period, will relocate to the Houston office and assume the role of general manager, global specialties.
Having joined the business in 1998, Renee has an extensive and diverse background across refining, process engineering, commercial commodities, optimisation and marketing. She has held various roles in Phillips 66, most recently as manager, brand U.S. marketing. In this role she was responsible for leading the rebranding of service stations, advertising and programs for Phillips 66’s large network in the United States. Renee has also spent time working internationally in China, India, Turkey, Lithuania and Germany in her early career.
Mary Wolf, currently managing director UK marketing at Phillips 66 Limited, comments:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Renee to the UK marketing family. She brings a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to the team, and I’m sure she will lead the business to new heights. We have a great UK team and incredible, wonderful customers that it has been my privilege to serve. I would like to sincerely and deeply thank everyone for their business and friendship over the last five years. I will dearly miss you all.”
Renee Semiz, currently manager, brand U.S. marketing:
“I am looking forward to joining the UK business and building on the strong working relationships that Mary established with our customers. Mary and her team have done a fantastic job transforming the UK business and I’m looking forward to continuing our strategic initiatives. I wish Mary continued successes as she transitions into her new role in Houston.”
Holly Needham, granddaughter of Jim Callow, founder of Stourport-based Callow Oils, has decided to celebrate her 21st birthday by giving back to Parkinson’s UK, a charity which is very close to the heart of the family.
The board of Essar Oil UK Ltd has announced the appointment of Stein Ivar Bye, former boss of Sweden’s largest fuel firm, as chief executive officer.
Leaving behind his job as chief operating officer at Scandinavian crude oil giant Preem, Stein Ivar Bye will be based at Essar’s Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. He brings with him over 28 years’ experience in the Oil and Energy sector, working internationally across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Stein, who graduated from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and has an MBA in Business Strategy and Management from BI Norwegian Business School, previously spent 25 years with ExxonMobil and was latterly chief operating officer at Preem.
An experienced executive leader in multicultural and international environments, Stein has an impressive track record in refinery operations, coupled with broad experience in supply and trading, strategy and planning and business development.
Mr Bye is the second new CEO to take charge at Essar since the start of the year. In January, it was announced that ex-BP boss Mark Wilson had replaced Srinivasalu Thangapandian. Essar said on Monday that Mr Wilson left in June under a “mutual agreement” with the firm after less than six months in the role.
Speaking about the latest appointment, Prashant Ruia, non-executive chairman, Essar Oil UK, said;
“As an organisation, our sights are firmly set on transforming our UK business, ensuring its growth and long term sustainability as we transition towards a low carbon energy economy and deliver the energy solutions of the future for Britain. Stein will be pivotal in meeting this challenge and fulfilling this ambition.”
Stein Ivar Bye added;
“I am honoured to be selected as CEO for Essar Oil UK and excited to be part of Essar’s transformational journey. Society’s demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions is an inspiring challenge and will require creativity and perseverance. With the collective competency and commitment of the Essar organisation, and strong stakeholder engagement, I am confident Essar Oil UK will be a part of the solution for the future.”
Kettlewell Fuels director Janet Kettlewell was inaugurated as the 33rd President of UKIFDA on the 24th June 2020, during the trade association’s first virtual AGM.
Taking over the Presidency from Jodie Allan, who held the post for 3 years, Janet will head the association’s management committee. Her new role will involve working closely with chief executive Guy Pulham to optimise the work of the association in lobbying government on energy policy and the delivery of services for both distributor and associate members.
A UKIFDA management committee member for some 5 years and regional representative for Yorkshire and the North East of England, Janet has seen the trade association transform itself into a modern, forward-thinking and highly ambitious organisation that is ready for the next stage of its development.
Janet brings a wealth of sector experience and knowledge to the role, having joined her Yorkshire based family business Kettlewell Fuels, in 1996. Janet recently undertook an MBO of the business with husband Trevor, taking ownership of Kettlewell Fuels outright from the Kettlewell family.
Commenting on her appointment Janet Kettlewell said; “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity to use my 24 years experience for the good of the industry.
“I aim to continue the sterling work of past presidents on raising standards in the industry and making further significant progress on how the industry meets the decarbonisation targets set by the governments of the UK and Ireland. As the market continues to develop and change, as we enter a new era of liquid fuels, we will embrace all the challenges that lie ahead for our sector with enthusiasm and passion and I am absolutely sure that UKIFDA and its members will continue to thrive.
“I cannot wait to start working with the fantastic team at UKIFDA and the exceptional management committee to see what the next two years bring.”
UKIFDA chief executive Guy Pulham adds; “We all warmly welcome Janet as our new President – and we know she will make an excellent and fitting successor to Jodie. The team at UKIFDA has worked closely with Janet in her roles as regional representative and Vice President but also directly with her company Kettlewell Fuels, who have been UKIFDA Members for 24 years. She will prove a fantastic asset and a great advocate of our campaign to secure the much-needed support from government to ensure biofuels play a key role in the future of the 1.5m heating oil consumers in the UK and 686,000 in Ireland who are not on the gas grids.”