Overview

This second ‘IChemE Energy Transition Debate’ will explore how the UK’s new industrial strategy enables delivery of the UK’s net zero and sustainable growth ambitions, as well as the critical role for engineering. Hosted by IChemE’s Oil, Gas and Energy Transition Special Interest Group, and London and South East Coast Member Group, this series aims to bring engineers into the heart of the energy transition discussion.

The UK transition to net zero will require new technologies, significant investment, enabling policy and a talented workforce. In this second in the series of energy transition debates, Minister for Industry Chris McDonald MP will share perspectives on the governments new industrial strategy and the fit with the transition to net zero and sustainable growth ambitions. The Minister will be joined by a distinguished panel of speakers from industry, business and academia, and there will be the opportunity to ask questions, followed by networking over snack and light food.

Speakers

Paul Bansil, Director, KBR Consulting International

Paul graduated from Imperial College, London with a degree in chemical engineering and brings over 30 years of experience in process engineering, project management, and construction across the onshore and offshore oil and gas and power generation sectors. Since 2021, he has served as Director of KBR’s consulting international business, a global provider of professional consulting solutions for the energy and industrial markets, where he leads all technical and commercial activities across Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Raffaella Ocone, IChemE President, Heriot-Watt Univeristy

Raffaella graduated in chemical engineering from the Università di Napoli, Italy and obtained her MA and PhD from Princeton University, US. She has held the chair of chemical engineering at Heriot-Watt University, UK, since 1999. She is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. In 2007 she was appointed Cavaliere of the Italian Republic. In The Queen’s 2019 New Year Honours, she was appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for services to engineering. She was named as one of the top 100 Most Influential Women in the Engineering Sector in 2019 in the list produced by the board appointments firm Inclusive Boards in partnership with the Financial Times.

Allan Baker, Global Head of Energy Transition, Societe Generale

Allan has worked at Société Générale for 18 years, and in the energy sector for more than 35 years, initially as an engineer and then in finance. During his career he has advised on and/or financed a broad spectrum of energy and infrastructure projects in Europe, the US and Asia including in the renewable energy sector, particularly in offshore wind, and is now playing a leading role in developing the bank’s global energy transition strategy. Allan is also a key contributor to clean energy policy development and is currently a member of the UK government CCUS Council and the Hydrogen Expert Group.

Nick Bone, Senior Refining and Petrochemical Executive

Nick is a seasoned industrial and energy executive with 32 years of global leadership experience at ExxonMobil, including service as a Board Director across multiple UK entities. He has held senior roles spanning global safety, major site operations, and industry representation. As global safety and risk leadership executive in 2025, he held executive accountability for developing safety leadership capabilities across ExxonMobil’s global operations, including assessing and strengthening safety culture.

From 2022 to 2025, he served as managing director of the ExxonMobil Fawley Site and director and chair of ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd, as well as director of Esso Petroleum Company Ltd and Esso UK Ltd, overseeing the UK’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical complex with approximately 2,000 employees and contractors. During this period, he delivered a £1 billion investment programme at Fawley that enabled a 50% reduction in UK diesel imports.

Chris McDonald, MP, Minister for Industry

Chris is a member of parliament for Stockton North, elected in July 2024, and is minister for industry. He previously worked in the steel sector, including a decade as CEO of the UK's national innovation centre for steel and metals, the Materials Processing Institute. He is also a Fellow of the IChemE.

The material presented at this event has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Oil Gas and Energy Transition Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.