Speciality Sessions

Session #12 | Beyond Compliance: Chris Brown on Sustainability & Commercial Value

In this episode of Speciality Sessions, Natasha speaks to Chris Brown, VP ESG at Synthomer. From starting his career in environmental engineering to leading ESG strategy at one of the world’s leading specialty polymer businesses, Chris shares a commercially grounded perspective on sustainability, innovation and the future direction of the chemical industry. This conversation goes beyond compliance and reporting - into how sustainability creates competitive advantage, why commercial teams are central to innovation, and how chemistry underpins almost every aspect of modern life. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Chris Brown’s Background 02:00 - Perceptions of the Chemical Industry 05:40 - Why Chemistry Has a Branding Problem 09:15 - Why Chemistry Underpins Modern Life 10:00 - Sustainability as Long-Term Strategy 12:15 - Why Sustainability Must Be Embedded Into Business Strategy 14:10 - Reframing Sustainability Around Commercial Value 15:30 - The Role of Commercial Teams in Sustainable Innovation 18:20 - Building Customer Relationships Through Sustainability 21:25 - Innovation Timing & Market Readiness 24:15 - Who Really Drives Innovation in the Value Chain? 25:55 - Reasons for Optimism in the Chemicals Sector 26:30 - China’s Five-Year Plan & Global Competition 28:00 - How Chemistry Enables Sustainable Outcomes 31:30 - Advice for Sustainability Leaders 33:45 - Changing Perspectives on Sustainability & Leadership

Session #11 | Leadership Without All The Answers: Anna Bertona on Judgement, Complexity and Building Teams

In the first episode of Season 2 of Speciality Sessions, Natasha speaks to Anna Bertona, CEO of Azelis. From entering the chemicals industry without a traditional background, to leading one of the world’s top distribution businesses, Anna shares a candid view on leadership, decision-making, and what it really takes to operate in a complex, high-performance environment. This conversation goes beyond the headlines - into how leaders actually think, hire, and make decisions when the stakes are high. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & About Azelis 02:00 - Breaking Misconceptions in Chemical Distribution 03:45 - What Makes the Distribution Model So Powerful 05:00 - Manufacturing vs Distribution: Why Transitions Are Hard 06:45 - Leadership Style: Empowerment vs Accountability 08:20 - How Leadership Evolves Over Time 09:10 - The Behaviours That Destroy High-Performing Teams 10:05 - Scaling Culture in a Global Business 11:50 - Hiring for ‘Why’, Not Just Job Specs 12:50 - Consulting vs Industry Thinking 14:40 - Decision-Making Without Perfect Information 16:00 - Women in Leadership & Industry Progress 19:40 - The Real Challenge: Retaining Talent 21:00 - What Makes a Great Leadership Team 23:00 - The Toughest Career Moments 24:15 - Letting Go of the ‘Super Specialist’ Mindset 25:20 - Advice for First-Time Senior Leaders 26:30 - Navigating a Challenging Market 29:40 - What Anna Changed Her Mind About

Session #10 | Stay Calm and Carry On: Christian Kohlpaintner on Resilience in Leadership

In this final episode of the first series of "Speciality Sessions," host Natasha Klymczuk sits down with Christian Kohlpaintner, a seasoned leader in the chemical industry, to discuss the art of resilience and leadership. Christian shares insights from his extensive career, including his transition from CEO at Brenntag to a supervisory role at Evonik. They explore the challenges and opportunities within the European chemical sector, the importance of building resilient business models, and the role of mentorship and coaching in personal and professional growth. Christian also offers valuable advice for leaders at all levels on fostering team resilience and navigating career transitions. Chapters: * [00:10] Introduction and Welcome * [01:28] Opportunities in the European Chemical Sector * [03:07] Building Resilient Business Models * [06:43] Leadership and Team Resilience * [09:59] Career Transitions and Taking Risks * [14:02] Mentorship and Coaching * [19:11] Leadership Challenges and Adjustments * [21:19] Innovation in Distribution * [25:25] Final Thoughts and Advice

Session #9 | Mistakes Can Change the Course of History: Jenn Klein on Resilience of the Chemical Industry

Most chemical industry leaders don’t get the recognition they deserve — but Jenn Klein is changing that. As CEO of SOCMA, she reveals how the specialty chemical sector touches our daily lives in more ways than we realise, from water safety to electronics, and why understanding this industry’s power is crucial for the future.In this candid conversation, Jen shares her unexpected journey into chemicals, from political science to industry advocate, and explains why her passion lies in supporting the unsung heroes behind the products we use every day. You'll discover how the sector's nimbleness and problem-solving mindset are shaping resilient, innovative companies that are investing strategically despite global uncertainties.ChaptersIntro: Leadership & Influence - 00:00SOCMA & CEO Role - 05:24Leadership Transition - 07:33Sector Pathways - 09:13Sustainability Connection - 11:24Unique Industry Traits - 13:15Value Chain Communication - 15:25Underappreciated Areas - 17:02Attracting Talent - 19:10Career Growth - 20:36SOCMA Advocacy - 22:10Industry Voice - 24:03Regulatory Challenges - 25:01Hazard vs. Risk - 27:22Manufacturing Trends - 29:26Agility in Disruption - 31:47Reshoring Momentum - 33:21Talent & Diversity - 36:09Mentorship & Leadership - 38:23Self-Awareness & Learning - 40:44Embracing Failure - 43:12Life Mantra - 44:34

Session #8 | The Financial Side of Chemicals: Dr Bernd Schneider on M&A and Value Creation

In this episode, Bernd Schneider, Global Co-Head of Chemicals at Stifel, discusses the intricacies of M&A in the chemical industry, addressing misconceptions, the impact of ownership changes, and the evolving landscape of buyers. He shares insights on what makes a good chemical asset, the challenges faced in post-M&A scenarios, and offers advice for CEOs navigating ownership changes. Bernd also reflects on his unique journey from a polymer chemist to investment banking, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and continuous learning in career development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bernd Schneider and Stiefel 02:47 Understanding the Chemicals Sector and Its Opportunities 03:46 Misconceptions About M&A in the Chemical Industry 05:19 Impact of Ownership Change on Employees 07:20 Advice for CEOs During Ownership Changes 09:43 Common Surprises in Post-M&A Scenarios 10:50 Shifts in the Chemical Asset Buying Landscape 12:05 Evaluating Value in the Bio Landscape 12:29 Strategic vs Financial Buyers 13:54 Current Market Dynamics in Chemical Assets 15:04 Characteristics of Good Chemical Assets 18:21 Future Predictions for M&A Activity 21:56 Transitioning from Chemistry to Finance 26:59 Advice to My Younger Self