has elected Hugh Dowding to follow


Simon Brander as its President effective from the AGM of the Association in October 2015


After a lifetime in the industry and still actively involved, it is both ironic and rather apt, that Hugh will assume the role on behalf of RS Clare, the Liverpool manufacturer of specialised greases, as a member of the Commercial Board of the Company.


It was during the Presidency of Ian Meadows, Chairman of RS Clare, and at his behest that Hugh joined the Board of BLF in the early 90s. Despite a short break whilst leading the UK Delegation to UEIL, Hugh returned during the Presidency of Peter Vickers and has served on the Board since that time; he is almost certainly the longest serving Board Member in the history of the Federation.


Starting his career at Century Oils as a Graduate Trainee in Business Studies in the early 70s, Hugh was fortunate to join at a time when Century was undertaking a programme of acquisition and overseas


expansion and he benefitted from time in virtually every discipline within the Century Group ending his tenure as Sales Manager for the Nordic Region based in Copenhagen.


Forming Polartech Limited with ex- Century colleagues he proceeded to spend the next twenty-five years growing the business into an international brand with facilities in multiple geographies. The business was acquired during the 2000s and in 2009 Hugh commenced projects for various players in the lubricants market.


During the period at Polartech, he served for over ten years on the Board of UEIL representing the UK and was elected President serving a double term of four years.


Having been involved with greases during his time at Century and competed with


RS Clare, it was a natural evolution to work with Ian Meadows at RS Clare and to join the Commercial Board.


Hugh lives in Cheshire with his partner Janet, also a member of the lubricants community, and still travels intensively on a global basis promoting lubricants.


His activities on behalf of the industry have always been to increase awareness within Government and other sectors of the importance of the lubricant sector and one can only presume we will see more of this in the coming months as Hugh assumes the role of what is today a stable and successful Federation.


Certificate of


Lubricant Competence


Commencing February 2016


1. Exploration & Refining 2. Base Oil Types and Characteristics 3. Basic Tribology 4. Lubricant Additives 5. Automotive Lubricants 6. Industrial Lubricants 7. Greases 8. Metalworking 9. Health, Safety & Environment 10. Final Certification Session


A comprehensive lubricant training programme.


Approach your line manager or training manager and emphasise the benefits of taking part.


Past delegates include representatives from:


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