EDITOR INTERVIEW
In conversation with...
Chris Clarkson, Global Technical & Procurement Officer, Duckhams
Tell us a bit about your early years. Where/ when were you born, and what is your family background? I was born in the early 1980s in Aylesbury, a town in Buckinghamshire. I am one of three children, with an older sister and an older (by a few minutes!) twin brother.
My childhood was very happy and active. I spent most of my time competing in sports, including football, squash and athletics. I was also a junior chess champion.
Education – where did you go, what subjects did you choose and why? I attended Aylesbury Grammar School. My enjoyment of problem-solving and interest in understanding how and why things work led me to study Biology, Chemistry, and Maths at A-level.
What was your path to higher education? After A-levels, I was keen to continue my studies in Chemistry and went to Leicester University to complete a BSc in Chemistry.
When and where was your first job, and what did you like and dislike about it? Post-graduation, I secured a role at Osmose, a company based in Marlow which specialised in Timber Preservatives. I started as an entry-level technologist and had great fun finding ways to set wood on fire – all in the name of testing fire resistance, of course! The role gave me an excellent insight into product and performance testing. Being a small company, I was able to make an impact at all levels of the organisation and was exposed to the commercial side of the business. Thanks to plenty of on-the-job training, support and encouragement, I progressed to the role of QC Manager.
60 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.181 JUNE 2024
How has career mapping led to where you are now? I really enjoyed the five years I spent at Osmose, but I was keen to progress my career outside of laboratory- based roles. A role came up at Afton Chemical, and I jumped at the chance to move into the lubricant industry.
At Afton I worked on Driveline additives, gaining invaluable knowledge of tribology. I progressed into roles that enabled me to link my technical knowledge with marketing and sales. This reinforced my desire to work in a cross-functional capacity, bridging the space between operations and commercial. I’m not one to stay in the lab, though I am grateful for those who dedicate themselves to research. I enjoy getting out of the office, meeting people internally and externally to help raise technical understanding.
After five years at Afton as a Technologist, I moved downstream to the blender, brand owner and distributor Moove/Comma Oil. Over a period of 8 years, I had the pleasure of developing and leading teams relating to technology and supply. I led procurement projects, assessing costs, supporting commercial teams, and forecasting moves in raw materials. In a technical capacity, I supported customers and the UK industry as a whole on anti-competitive practices and the block exemption rules. I worked with the UKLA and UEIL to challenge OEMs and ensure a competitive and open marketplace. Focused on sustainability, I worked on a project to introduce 35% recycled packaging. I was proud to be one of the first companies in the UK to make such a move to help protect our environment.
More recently, I have had the privilege of joining the Duckhams family in a global role. Here, I am leading the development of teams focusing on operations,
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