New Chairman For the LPGA
As we reported in the last issue, the recently
elected chair of the LPGA, Emma FitzGerald of Shell Gas, has
had to resign the chairmanship as she is moving to Beijing to
take up a new role as local senior lubricants representative
in China.
The LPGA vice chair, Kerry Wood of BP LPG
UK, stepped into the breach and took over the chairmanship of
the Association
with
effect from August 1 2004.
Kerry took over management of BP LPG
UK and France on December 16 2002, following Sunil Kakar's move
to BP LPG in Europe, and
also joined the LPGA Executive Committee. Since joining the Executive,
he has played an active role in the Association.
At the LPGA 2004
AGM in May, Kerry gave a lively, thought provoking – and
often amusing - presentation on the importance of the industry's
reputation, citing the salmon and beef industries as examples
of the fragility and importance of industries' reputations.
"How do people see our industry?" he
asked delegates. “What
effect does the sight of discarded cylinders on waste ground
have on our reputation? How customer friendly are we?
"Our reputation will be what we choose
to make it," he added, “and
the key is our commitment, engagement and participation. We can
influence it if we choose."
Kerry joined BP in his native New Zealand after graduating from
university in 1986. After working in Retail, Commercial and Lubricants
businesses in New Zealand, he moved to BP Australia in 1994.
It was after BP's acquisition of Castrol that Kerry transferred
to the UK to work in BP's corporate headquarters with the newly
combined lubricants business, and then into another corporate
role working with a number businesses, including LPG in Asia
and Europe.
We spoke to him shortly after his UK appointment
and asked if he had any plans for BP's LPG businesses.
"One of the temptations for any new manager
is to come out with a range of new plans and goals," he
said, “but the
catch here is that this is already a well run business with a
lot of experienced people and some real momentum, so I need to
ensure I help maintain that momentum, not slow it down.
"It's also important to remember that
not all our goals are financial - equally, if not more important,
are our other responsibilities,
such as health and safety.
"We are in this business for the long
term," he said, “and
intend to be a progressive force in what I imagine is a progressive
industry."
Kerry went on to stress the importance of
making the industry an even healthier, safer and more enjoyable
place
to work.
"Everyone wins when we improve the environment," he
said, “be
it through developing and promoting the use of clean fuels like
autogas, or, for example, working to increase road safety."
Tom
Fidell, director general of the LP Gas Association, said: “I
am sure everyone will join me in congratulating Kerry on his
appointment, and the Executive Committee and myself will be working
closely with him over the coming year.
"Emma FitzGerald, our previous chairperson
for a short period of time, will soon be taking up a new position
in China, and
I am sure everyone joins me in wishing her every success in her
new venture."
Speaking about the election of the new vice
chairman, Paddy Kilmartin of Flogas, Tom Fidell said: “Paddy
has, of course, served the Association in this role several times
before and is a tremendous
asset to the Association."
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2004 News
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