Empowering our team for greater success
Training in action
In 2024, our investment in training and development enabled us to deliver presentation skills courses to 43 employees based in the UK, Germany and Singapore. Additionally, over 20 employees participated in PRINCE2® Project Management training, enhancing their skills to become more effective project managers.
A key initiative launched during the year was Percipio, our new global e-learning platform. Designed to support employees in achieving their personal and professional development goals, Percipio offers a wide range of courses covering technical, soft skills, leadership, and functional training. In the six months following its launch in summer 2024, 901 employees had used the platform, accumulating 4,046 hours of learning.
Senior Leadership Development Program
Several employees are selected to take part in our Senior Leadership Development program. The course involved instructor-led sessions and post-training coaching specifically tailored to upskill our senior managers.
Katie Le Manquais, Technology Platform Leader, participated in the program and found the coaching on building high-performing teams particularly beneficial. “I recently had the privilege of attending a global gathering with peers from diverse roles across our business for the Leadership Development course. This experience provided me with the chance to interact closely with inspirational leaders and build a strong network of colleagues, one that I know I can turn to for insights and support in the future.”
Science ladder
The success of our business relies on attracting, developing, and retaining top-tier scientists and technical professionals. Our Science Ladder program enables employees in technical roles to advance their careers in science while driving innovation in new technologies. This initiative encourages outstanding scientists to continue their research, providing opportunities for personal growth, recognition, and professional advancement, thereby benefiting both the individual and our business.
Dr. Jim Barker, Senior Research Fellow
The most senior level on our Science Ladder is that of Senior Research Fellow. In 2021, Dr. Jim Barker was promoted to Senior Research Fellow, only the second person in our company’s history to achieve this prestigious level. Achieving this level takes significant time and requires continued personal commitment from individuals. In 2024, Jim was awarded the ASTM International Award of Merit, in recognition of his voluntary work to help make the world better by contributing directly to the safety, quality, and reliability of products world-wide. Jim’s scientific achievements mark him out as one of the best industrial chemists in the world and this reflects positively on Innospec and our technical credibility with our customers.
Succession planning
We are committed to developing future leaders for our business by equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to drive our organization forward. Our succession planning program for strategic roles ensures business continuity and long-term sustainability, as individuals transition into new positions. Identifying the right talent for key roles is a priority, and we actively nurture potential within our existing workforce. Through ongoing education and support, we empower our employees to grow, develop, and excel within Innospec.
Georgina Daigle, Financial Controller Oilfield Services, Houston, US
Georgina Daigle has developed her career with Innospec significantly over the last decade. Starting as an undergraduate finance student, she is now a Financial Controller for Oilfield Services. After completing our graduate scheme in the UK, which provided experience and exposure to different aspects of the business, she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Subsequently, she was offered the opportunity to work in the Oilfield Services business in Woodlands, Texas, taking on her new role in 2019. As our business expands into Saudi Arabia, she has been central to setting up and supporting this new venture.
“Initially, I spent 18 months in the US getting to know the Oilfield Services business so I could be sure the move was what I wanted. I then returned to the UK to wait for a permanent work visa. During this time, I worked in Group Finance, picking up even more skills. I finally made the move to Texas in 2019. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and being part of a small dynamic team.”
Supporting a sustainable workforce
We offer opportunities to young people in the form of apprenticeships, paid internships, trainee programs and work experience at several of our locations around the world. We provide participants with tailored programs that offer comprehensive practical training and experience.
In 2024, we offered:
33
paid internships
26
student placements
40
apprenticeships
30
work experience opportunities
Eleanor Vernon, Apprentice Lab Technician
“I’m now studying for my degree through the degree apprenticeship scheme, and I feel like I am learning and growing in my job every day! One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is gaining hands on experience with the opportunity to use a wide range of instrumentation that I wouldn’t typically have access to. Engaging with a knowledgeable team and using these advanced tools not only enhances my skills but also deepens my understanding of our field. I’m grateful for the chance to expand my knowledge and contribute to our team’s success.”
Higher level qualifications
We believe it is important to help all our employees reach their true potential, which is why we support people studying for higher level qualifications across a wide variety of functions. These professional qualifications help employees to further develop as individuals and enables us to maintain a competent workforce. Some examples of the employees we have supported in their learning and development journeys are provided below.
Emma Bleasdale, our Junior Regulatory Toxicologist based at our Ellesmere Port, UK site, successfully completed her Toxicology Master’s degree at Birmingham University.
Dan Hollingsworth, Control Systems Engineer, based at our Ellesmere Port, UK site, completed his Electrical Automation Degree, from Wrexham Glyndwr University.
Daniel Grewing, a sales manager based at our Herne site in Germany, was supported to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management.