Our AGM is the opportunity to hear what we've been up to in 2018, our plans for next year and how we will endevour to serve our local members. It is also the chance to put your name forward and join our organising committee. Whilst we are the smallest member group in the UK, we are one of the most active and being a part of our team offers great Continued Professional Development experience.

After the formalities of the AGM, we are delighted that our keynote speech will be delivered by Ken Rivers. Ken will cover the role of the IChemE President, how IChemE will develop in the future, and how Process Safety has developed, influencing all our work as practising Chemical Engineers.

Time

17:45 refreshments, 18:15 start.

Speaker

Ken Rivers, IChemE President

Ken has over 35 years experience of the international downstream oil industry with Shell. He has recently returned from New Zealand where he was CEO of Refining NZ, a publically listed company operating the country’s only oil refinery. He was previously responsible for Shell’s refining and petrochemical operations in the UK. He is a past President of UK Petroleum Industry Association. He has extensive commercial board level experience as well as national industry groups and community boards. He has now embarked on the non executive phase of his career and building a portfolio of non executive directorships.

Ken has a passion for safety. He chaired a joint industry/regulator task force in the wake of the Buncefield terminal explosion and was a founding member of the Business Leaders Health and Safety Forum in New Zealand. Since returning to the UK, Ken has been appointed chair of the COMAH Strategic Forum tasked with improving the effectiveness of major hazard legislation and comprising both the regulatory authorities and the Oil & Chemical industries. He has recently been asked to chair the Midstream Oil Sector Government and Industry Task Force which will consider ways of improving the resilience and viability of the UK refining and fuel import sectors following the recent government review.

Ken studied chemical engineering at Cambridge University and is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and a Chartered Engineer. He is a Member of the Institute of Directors in both UK and New Zealand. His earlier work experience included refinery operations, supply planning and technology management in Shell refineries coupled with Central Office roles in strategy, product quality development and oil supply. He has extensive international experience, which includes assignments in New Zealand, the Netherlands and Malaysia.