Morris Lubricants Appoints Its First Chief Operations Officer
Morris Lubricants has recently promoted Owen Lloyd to become its first Chief Operations Officer, but Owen’s appointment goes beyond a change in job title.
The lubricants industry does not exist in a vacuum. Recent global events, fluctuating supply issues, changing customer demands and shifting end user attitudes are all shaping and reshaping how the businesses within the industry operate and strive to meet the ever-changing needs of customers. To progress in these challenging times, companies need to build, support and develop their employees as they commence or are progressing in their careers.
These are, very interesting and rewarding times for people seeking a career in the lubricants industry. Global pressures also present opportunities that can entice people to rethink preconceived ideas and challenge the conventional ways of operating.
Success therefore lies in the people and over several years Morris Lubricants has invested in an employee development programme, to grow and enhance the talent of the people it employs. This cross-functional scheme includes modern apprenticeships, graduate training programmes, management development and executive management mentoring.
These various programmes are supported by formal qualifications such as the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA) Certificate of Lubricant Competence course, various industry specific qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing qualifications, and various undergraduate degree and post graduate degrees.
Owen’s appointment is an excellent demonstration of how employees can be nurtured and supported as they progress through their career and personal aspirations. Having joined the company on the Morris Lubricants Graduate Programme in 2016, Owen quickly understood the workings of the lubricants industry. During his first 18 months he spent time in different departments throughout the company. While this gave great exposure to the tasks and projects that different parts of the business undertake, it also gave him the opportunity to meet and spend time with the people that make things happen across the whole of the company.
After his initial 18 months, Owen pursued his chosen career in Purchasing. As well as dealing with global suppliers and negotiating supply contracts, Owen completed the UKLA Certificate of Lubricant Competence course together with various purchasing qualifications and eventually became a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. Moreover during 2019 Owen was nominated for and won the UKLA young employee of the year award in recognition of his hard work and positive impact to the lubricants industry.
As Owen states, “Since I began working in the oil and lubricants industry, I have noticed a considerable shift in focus to new emerging technologies and discussions around how the industry will adapt in the future. In my earlier days with Morris Lubricants, we were regularly developing products to meet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) requirements in line with the ever-increasing emission standards set out by the policy makers. Fast forward to today and our discussions with our technology providers are much more centred around products required for emerging, alternative fuelled vehicles, whether that be electric, hydrogen or other synthetic fuels. We are also putting focus on a wide selection of industries including commercial vehicle, agricultural and off-highway sectors which will be key to our longevity as a business.”
In his new role, Owen will oversee and manage the operational functions for Morris Lubricants, incorporating Production & Logistics, Purchasing, Distribution, Maintenance and Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ). An all-encompassing and exciting role that brings together the beating heart of the company.
As highlighted by Morris Lubricants Executive Chairman Andrew Goddard, “I would like to congratulate Owen in his recent promotion. We are entering a challenging and exciting time with the lubricants industry and success does rely on the commitment and skills from the many people we employ. The company is very progressive; not only in developing a range of different products for various market sectors, but also in training and developing our employees. Our aim is to bring a new generation of talented individuals into the business whether that be graduates, apprentices, or part-time students. Owen’s recent promotion is not only well deserved, but also a testament to our commitment to nurturing talent and helping the success of our business for years to come.”