Conference Contributors

  • Mike McCabe, Lubricants Industry Specialist, MDM Insight

    Mike has over 30 years of experience in the lubricants industry, working across lubricant development, product line management, business management, and marketing. He began his career at Castrol after earning a Physics degree from Reading University, developing industrial lubricants and securing OEM approvals. In 1997, he joined Lubrizol, where he led the European passenger car engine oil additive business and later headed marketing teams in Asia and globally. In 2021, he became EMEA Marketing Director at Valvoline, gaining deep insight into the automotive aftermarket. Mike now works as a global consultant and holds an MBA from Nottingham University.

  • Lubricants Industry Specialist, Trevor Gauntlett Consulting

    Trevor Gauntlett is a consultant, writer and podcaster with nine years’ experience covering lubricants, emerging chemistries, new market opportunities and M&A. He previously spent 18 years with Shell at the lubricants–supplier interface, overseeing component and formulation quality, HSE, and the evolution of Shell’s Lubricants Quality System into a big‑data platform spanning products, formulations, components and technical data. His PhD and post‑doctoral research contributed to advancements in GTL and metallocene PAO technologies. Outside the industry, Trevor has coached basketball for 30 years, introduced nine future internationals, and once nearly founded a railway company. He is also a cancer survivor

  • David Smith, Business Manager, SIP Speciality Oils and Fluids

    David is an inspirational and results-driven Business Manager at SIP Speciality Oils and Fluids, with over 25 years of experience in the chemical industry. His expertise spans procurement, business development, and global key account management, with a proven track record of driving strategic growth and delivering value to clients. Highly motivated and skilled in launching new business initiatives and shaping long-term strategies, David has held senior roles at MKR (Mead-King Robinson), Sea-Land Chemicals Inc., Oleon NV, and Blaser Polartech.

  • Paul Booth BSc (Hons) Chemistry, Managing Director, GB Lubricants

    Originally training as a chemist, Paul has over 30 years of experience in varied roles within manufacturing and speciality chemical businesses across the UK and Europe. He moved to GB Lubricants in 2016, where he has navigated the company through new ownership, modernisation and investment and successfully grown the business. Paul is also an active main board member for the UKLA.

  • Yana Wilkinson, Global Lead and VP, Energy Practice, Kline + Company

    Based in London, Yana Wilkinson brings 20 years of experience in management consulting and market intelligence. As the global lead for strategy and VP of Kline’s Energy practice, she focuses on the entire lubricants value chain. This includes energy specialties and a broad range of automotive and industrial enduses, as well as emerging applications in digital infrastructure. Her aim is to help clients see further and act
    smarter.

  • Abigail Waller, Global Key Accounts Manager, Vickers Oils

    A sales professional with 25 years’ experience, Abigail enjoys the collaboration of working in a team and finding creative ways to reach the end goal. She enjoys the challenges and variety sales brings, with no two days being the same.

    Previously working for Univar and Nynas AB, Abigail joined the team at Vickers Oils in 2023.

  • Paul Williams, Managing Director – Transformation, Vickers Oils

    Paul is Managing Director – Transformation at Vickers Oils. He has a background in research, using Artificial Intelligence to solve various NP Hard / NP Complete problems. Paul has worked in senior roles across a number of industries – manufacturing, healthcare and information technology – and within organisations ranging from startups to large multinational companies. He is passionate about empowering collaboration cultures, the value of good data and embedding powerful processes. His current work focusses on “how do we accelerate productivity within a psychologically safe environment?”

    Paul holds a BSc in Theoretical Physics, and MSc in Information Technology and an MBA. He spreads his time between Yorkshire and Munich.

  • Steve Knapp, CEO, Plan. Grow. Do.

    With over 35 years in B2B sales, Steve has built a career across the lubricants, energy, and industrial sectors, helping organisations modernise their sales approach. As a consultant, speaker, and author, he challenges outdated methods and advocates for AI‑driven, digital, customer‑centric selling. His Buyer Revolution research reveals how lubricant buyers think and highlights the need for value‑focused engagement. Steve also hosts Beyond the Blend, sharing the stories and challenges shaping the industry. The author of Funnel Vision – Selling Made Easy and Modern Sales Leadership, he works with major industry players to drive change and redefine how sales teams win.

  • Dr. Emma Guthrie, CEO, Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA),

    Dr Emma Guthrie is an experienced leader with two decades in the chemicals and industrial gases sector. She spent 15 years at Air Products, notably serving as UK Business Development Manager for Hydrogen Energy Systems, where she drove hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and infrastructure projects across major European cities. She later held senior commercial roles at IMCD, including four years in the Global Lubricants & Energy business group, leading marketing initiatives for base oils and additives.

    Emma is now CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, representing over 110 members and championing hydrogen’s role in clean growth, energy resilience and net zero.

  • Leyla Alieva, CEO and Co-founder, NEOL Copper Technologies

    With a degree in financial management and a CFA designation earned in 2007, Leyla has a strong professional investment background. Building upon over 12 years of experience in private equity and alternative fund management, Leyla has held top roles in business development and executive management, notably serving as CEO of CUPPER GROUP, a manufacturer of innovative lubricants and greases.

    At NEOL, Leyla’s leadership has been crucial in driving the company’s innovative strategies within the lubricant industry. Her commitment to preserving natural and human resources, combined with her visionary approach, is transforming NEOL into one of the most forward-thinking companies in the sector.

  • Gabriella Twining, Global Editor Base Oils at Argus Media, Argus Media

    Gabriella is an experienced commodity reporter having previously covered the Biomass desk. Prior to Argus she reported on and provided analysis for IHS Markit in its Maritime and Trade department after several years working in ship management at CMA CGM.

  • Dr. Stephan Baumgärtel, Manager Lubricants, UNITI Bundesverband Energiemittelstand e.V.

    Dr. Stephan Baumgärtel is a recognised expert in the lubricants industry with deep experience in HSE management, regulatory affairs, and technical sustainability. He currently serves as Manager, Lubricants, at UNITI, following its merge with the German Lubricant Industry Association (VSI), where he held the role of Managing Director for 15 years. During his VSI leadership, he strengthened collaboration between industry, regulators and policymakers, and chaired the association’s HSE Committee.

    His earlier roles include leading VSI’s Industrial Lubricants Group and serving as a technical advisor at ExxonMobil across Europe. Dr. Baumgärtel holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Frankfurt and speaks German, English, and French.