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Chemical Business Association News

New Chief Operating Officer appointed at leading Chemical Trade Association

28 January 2025

The Chemical Business Association (CBA), the voice of the chemical supply chain, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alastair Sanderson as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Alastair joins the CBA with a wealth of chemical industry experience following a 30+ year career with Unilever, specifically in FMCG, with a focus on Home Care products.

Having initially gained a First-Class Honours degree in Chemistry, Alastair went on to complete a PhD in Physical Chemistry at The University of Salford in 1992. He subsequently undertook a number of senior R&D roles at Unilever, including Senior Development Manager and Global Technology Manager.

During his time with Unilever Alastair also played a leading role in creating the “Carbon Rainbow”, Unilever’s unique approach to managing the provenance of carbon used across the company’s product formulations to help move towards Net Zero, seeking to replace non-renewable carbon sources, with a specific focus on captured CO2 and its utilisation along with exploring biogenic alternatives.

Alastair is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), having been recognised for contributions to science and innovation, while also being a Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Bringing his wide-ranging experience, skillset and strong environmental advocacy to the CBA, Alastair will be focusing on supporting the CBA’s CEO with day-to-day operations, which will include strategic planning and performance management, amongst other key tasks.

Speaking about the appointment, CEO Tim Doggett said, “I would like to welcome Alastair to our CB-A Team on behalf of myself, our staff and members. Alastair will not only be working closely with me to ensure we continue to deliver the highest levels of service and support, giving the best possible membership experience to our current members, but to ensure our membership continues to grow by providing new innovative services, in addition to bolstering our industry knowledge and know-how.”

“I am extremely proud to be joining the CBA, a highly respected and valued trade association, recognised across the chemical supply chain and the wider chemical industry as a leading go-to resource. I am very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver a growing list of services to our membership, and in representing the interests of the chemical supply chain on a global stage,” said Alastair.

Image: Alastair Sanderson (left) with Chemical Business Association CEO Tim Doggett.

Picture of Alastair Sanderson, CBA's new COO with Tim Doggett the CEO of the CBA

About Chemical Business Association:

The Chemical Business Association (CBA) has a long and illustrious heritage in delivering for its members, having recently celebrated its centenary year in 2023. It is the leading organisation representing the complete chemical supply chain and an award-winning trade association with record levels of membership.

Many CBA members are SMEs and include manufacturers, distributors, traders, warehouse operators, logistics and transport companies, as well as service providers and suppliers who collectively are the main chemical industry interface providing products and services to virtually every sector.

Such a diverse membership gives the CBA a distinct advantage of a 360-degree view and insight of the global chemical supply chain which, combined with the extensive and in-depth expertise of its staff, enables the CBA to provide wide-ranging services and support to its members, as well as to engage and work closely with Government, not to mention other key stakeholders in the UK and overseas.

CBA members contribute in excess of £5 billion to the UK economy and employ over 10,000 people nationwide, handling in excess of 27 million tonnes and making over 2.25 million deliveries of chemicals each year. Health and safety, as well as people and sustainability, are at the heart of the CBA, as it leads and participates in many initiatives such as the ‘Responsible Care Programme’, which it has been part of since 1993.

The Chemical Business Association is the voice of the UK chemical supply chain.

Note to editors:

For further information please contact:
Alf Lombardi, Shrewdd Marketing
E-mail: alflombardi@shrewdd.com
Telephone: +44 1422 363424

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