Kari Kulmala began a career in the lubricants industry in 1990 after completing a Master's thesis in Organic Chemistry at Neste's R&D Centre in Porvoo, Finland. Starting in the synthesis research group, Kari moved to the Base Oils Group after five years and has since dedicated more than three decades to technical support and development within the base oils business. Today, Kari continues this work with Chevron Base Oils, supporting customers, additive partners, and OEMs across the industry. Throughout a distinguished career in base oils, Kari has worked closely with leading additive companies, additive component suppliers, and global OEMs, combining a deep interest in vehicle technology with extensive expertise in lubricant performance. His experience spans all major base stock technologies, including low-viscosity PAOs, Group II and Group III base oils, esters, and renewable base stocks, providing a unique perspective on the evolution of lubricant technology and changing performance requirements.
Since 2014 David has managed the UKLA’s operations in Europe providing effective management, leadership and development of UKLA’s Secretariat team; he is constantly developing and maximising membership of the UKLA; delivering quality focused membership services and ensuring efficient, effective management and administration of the organisation. David is also currently the Company Secretary for the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS, a subsidiary of the UKLA). David is an established and experienced senior leader with extensive experience within a variety of association, membership and public sector, not for profit charitable organisations (ExxonMobil and Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors), operating in challenging, fast-moving politically sensitive and regulated environments at board level including leading organisations in senior roles involving defining and setting industry standards, working in partnership with government on programmes of change, and partnering with key industry stakeholders on lobbying and influencing the policy agenda of the day.
Ali Al-Ganzory is an international energy executive and physical commodities trader with over 16yr of experience in the oil, lubricants, petrochemicals, biofuels and renewable feedstock sectors. He is the chief executive officer of G&B Global Corp, managing director of Cloudy Bay Energy Trading and cross-trade and business development manager at Bio-Oil Egypt. At Bio-Oil Egypt, he leads the company's international expansion and supports the development of Egypt's used cooking oil (UCO) value chain. Ali has built and managed global trading portfolios spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. He has developed new international markets, established strategic supply chains and handled complex cross-border transactions involving base oils, petroleum products and sustainable feedstocks. Ali speaks at and moderates major global conferences, including Argus, ICIS and Automechanika Dubai. He shares insights on energy markets, physical trading, supply chain resilience and the future of sustainable fuels. Ali holds an MSc in Business Analytics and advocates combining data-driven decision-making, artificial intelligence and commercial strategy to shape the future of commodity trading. He focuses on accelerating the growth of the circular economy by connecting international markets with sustainable feedstock suppliers and advancing Egypt's role as a strategic hub for biofuels and renewable energy.
Haider Muzaffar is Director and CEO at General Petroleum PVT LTD., with more than 11 years of experience across the global lubricants and automotive industries. His experience spans lubricants manufacturing, base oils, additives, international trade, supply chain, sales and distribution, and business development across Pakistan, the UAE and wider international markets. At General Petroleum, Haider is involved in driving commercial growth, manufacturing strategy, international expansion and strategic partnerships across multiple markets. With a Master’s degree in Service Management and Design from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Haider brings a combination of commercial, operational and strategic experience to the evolving lubricants industry. He is particularly focused on the changing dynamics of base oils, lubricant manufacturing, international sourcing and the opportunities emerging across Middle Eastern, Asian and global markets.
Mike joined SAIL-Europe as director in November 2021 from Lubrizol having worked within the lubricants industry for 24 years. He has held numerous technical and commercial positions which have provided him with a wide range of skills and experience within the automotive lubricants industry including product line management and managing lubricant qualification technical programs in accordance with the industry codes of practice that collectively make up the EELQMS process. In his current role as Director at SAIL-Europe, Mike is responsible for managing the letter of conformance, EELQMS sub-licensing and product survey and compliance schemes on behalf of ATIEL. Mike holds an MSc degree in Lubricant and Hydraulic Technology from De Montfort University in the United Kingdom and has presented technical and commercial papers at a number of high-profile seminars and conferences throughout the world.
Charlotte is a Senior Marketing Specialist at Afton Chemical, who she’s been with since 2014. Most of this time has been spent in their Customer Technical Services (CTS) team however she is currently responsible for product management of their Industrial lubricant and Greases business within the EMEAI region. She is enthusiastic in working with the global Industrial team in the implementation of new product technologies, developing unique and tailored solutions for customers. A chemist by training, Charlotte gained her degree in Chemistry from the University of York where she completed an Industrial Placement year with Afton Chemical.
Guo Harn (Marc) currently holds a strategic management position in Argus, where he leads a global editorial team, steering editorial priorities, methodology and strategy, and works closely with industry stakeholders to secure indexation in base oils. Guo Harn has proven experience in energy price analytics and has been featured as a thought leader across numerous industry media.
Gabriella is the global editor of Argus' Base Oils publication, leading the global editorial team and publishing the weekly report. She previously worked as a reporter in IHS Markit’s Maritime & Trade department covering all areas of shipping. And prior to that worked for several years at a ship management company in the Safety Security and Environment department.
John Dietrich is the base oil reporter for the Americas at Argus. He has covered the base oil market for the past two years and has covered commodity markets for 12 years. John is a product of the University of Missouri’s journalism school and is based in Houston, Texas.
