Robert is the Research Challenge Lead for Materials for End-to-End Hydrogen and CEO of the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator. Robert is also an independent Technology and Policy Advisor.
He was BP’s Vice President for Public Partnerships. He was the Associate Director for the BP International Centre for Advanced Materials, a 10-year $100m investment by BP with the hub at the University of Manchester and spokes at the University of Cambridge, Imperial College and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Robert was also BP’s technology policy advisor for the UK and EU.
Prior to this, in 2006 Robert was appointed as BP’s Vice President for Refining & Marketing Technology Strategy. In this role Robert was responsible for developing BP’s long term technology strategy across its global fuels, lubricants, refining and chemicals businesses. Robert also managed BP’s global hydrogen transport business with operational responsibility for a global network of refuelling sites.
Robert joined BP in 1987 from Durham University having earlier completed his PhD at Cambridge University, working with Professor Lord (Jack) Lewis in Inorganic Chemistry on the synthesis and chemistry of a series of ruthenium & osmium mixed metal clusters. During his early career, he held a number of research, business and market development roles. In 2001 Robert became Marketing Director for Europe and Asia. In this role he was responsible for developing and implementing customer segmentation and pricing strategy for the chemicals businesses. In 2003 Robert took over as Technology Strategy Manager for Refining & Marketing. In 2005 Robert was appointed Technology Vice President for Business Marketing. He was responsible for co-ordinating technology activities across BP’s air, marine, industrial lubricants and bitumen businesses.
Robert is on the Board of Breathing Buildings, a natural ventilation company, as a non-executive Director. He is also on the board of the UK Technology Strategy Board. He is also Chair of Trustees at the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE).
