Selby, England, United Kingdom
I am energetic, commercially driven and enjoy the challenge of leadership. I have a record of success across a range of commercial disciplines, optimising the income from manufacturing plants. I enjoy using strong analytical skills to identify opportunities to increase margins and set strategy, and I thrive in fast-paced and challenging environments. I build and motivate strong teams, and I am passionate about getting the best out of people. I have gained international experience in the US and Germany, and I have German as a second language. My commercial background is complemented by solid experience in operations management, built in high-hazard environments. A business leader with extensive commercial and operations experience in both large blue chip and SME manufacturing environments, and a background in oil, renewable energy and agricultural sectors. Commercially astute, with a range of commercial skills, including trading, investment assessment (from identification through funding to delivery), market and margin analysis and interpretation, and risk management; balanced with a solid operations background, built in high hazard operating environments. A natural and perceptive leader who thrives in quick and challenging environments, empowering teams to deliver results. Excellent interpersonal skills with a history of building strong teams. Passionate about people and their development. Excellent communication skills, equally at home in the board room or on the shop floor. A strong ability to take complex ideas and concepts, boiling them down to deliver simple and effective messages. A strategic thinker, who is equally happy to ‘roll sleeves up’ and get hands on. German as a second language.
Vivergo Fuels is a world-scale bioethanol plant and business, based in East Yorkshire. At full production rates, it processes 1.1 million tonnes of feed wheat, producing 420 million litres bioethanol for blending with petrol, and over 400,000 tonnes high protein animal feed (DDGS). Member of the Operating Board, responsible for creating and leading commercial delivery of the business, including: commodity purchases and sales, market and margin analysis, supply chain operation, risk management and production planning. Responsible for the purchase, sale and timely delivery of all Vivergo's commodities, with annual transaction values in excess of £350m. Commissioned the commercial operation of the business, ensuring that risk management strategies and contingencies were in place to ensure business continuity during the extended start-up of the plant. Developed the business's forward commercial strategy, securing forward investment in the plant Executed Vivergo's risk management framework and strategy Board member ePure (European renewable ethanol association), and member of DfT Transport Energy Taskforce - tasked with reflecting EU 2020 renewable transport fuel targets in UK policy.
At the time of joining, Vivergo was a start-up Bioethanol joint venture between BP, ABF and Dupont, with the plant under construction. The initial remit of the role was to set up the trading desk. Set up Vivergo’s ethanol sales and logistics capability. Recruited and led a small team in ensuring Vivergo was ready to contract to sell and deliver ethanol when the plant was commissioned. Included: o Negotiating sales and supply chain contracts; o Designing, testing and commissioning a trading system o Recruiting, Training, Development & Mentoring personnel o Designing and implementing Policies and Procedures Designed and implemented Vivergo's initial risk management system for monitoring and reporting margins and commodity positions, setting trading limits, and implementing governance processes Member of extended Leadership Team
Crude Responsible for trading crudes for BP's refineries in Spain and Southern Germany, ensuring optimised financial returns on delivered crudes, managing price and physical delivery risks. Developed a contingency crude slate strategy for the commissioning of a new Coker unit. Beat targets by ~$50m and >60% in all years, increasing crude purchase and optimisation performance in one refinery by over 70%, and in 2 others by over 20% with restricted logistics. Introduced 20% of all new crudes to BP's refining system worldwide in 2009. Gasoline Responsible for trading gasoline components for BP's German refineries, and optimising their use in the refinery system. Ensured that the refineries' pricing positions were hedged.
Led a team to identify trading investment opportunities for BP's European refineries, ensuring business cases taken from inception, through to authorisation and investment, meeting BP's investment assessment criteria. Took new crude tank project from idea to operation in 18 months. Secured a $12 million investment. IRR > 50%. Investment case used as an example in future internal training courses. Expanded role to include origination around Biofuels projects with 3rd parties. Developed origination business case and co-led negotiation for term deal of biodiesel from start-up manufacturer. Led financial modelling for joint venture 3rd party build of biodiesel plant.
Responsible for the operation and online availability for 30% of the refinery’s process area, including all aspects of HSE, process safety management, operator training and recertification. 8 direct reports and 56 Process Unit Operators. Managed $12 million budget. Union relationships and negotiation. Acted as SPA for the refinery’s energy efficiency improvement plan, implementing a new organization. Developed 10 year improvement plan, and secured $3 million central funding for energy projects. 5-month assignment as Asset Lead, planning and executing major refinery maintenance outage. Responsible for identifying and planning equipment for maintenance, safe shutdown and start-up of process units, the safe preperation and release of equipment for maintenance, and ensuring procedures in place and updated. Member of extended Leadership Team
Provided analytical support to BP’s network of worldwide refining Operations Managers, comparing operational and cost performance. Coordinated network meetings with Network Convenor, and ensured action follow up. Represented Refining in the development of an intranet based, company-wide, asset performance analysis tool - finalist in BP’s inaugural worldwide employee recognition awards programme.
Responsible for the operation and availability of the refinery’s tank farm, including all aspects of HSE, and process safety management. Led a project to integrate the operation of refinery’s and neighbouring marketing terminal’s tank farms Provided Operations leadership in a £10 million project to reconfigure the refinery’s tank farm for additional product import and throughput
Responsible for performance analysis, and the economic evaluation of refinery operation, crude selection, market opportunities and new operation. Responsible for refinery interface with BPs trading organization, including crude and product opportunity evaluation, monthly plan and performance analysis, and pricing exposure. Development of the refinery’s annual commercial operating plan. Developed refinery KPI’s, and the complementary communication package for refinery employees. Provided cover for refinery scheduling (e.g. gasoline blending).