HKSAFC Webinar Series – Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovations in Hong Kong and the UK: Policies and Supply Chain Development

Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian OBE
Head of Energy Institute, University of Sheffield Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre

Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian OBE is the Head of Energy Innovation Centre at the University of Sheffield, the Managing Director of the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre, holds a chair in Energy Engineering and is the General Secretary of International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF).

He has completed numerous major research projects on clean energy technology, receiving substantial grants from the EPSRC, EU, and NATO. During his career at the Universities of Sheffield and Leeds, Professor Pourkashanian has successfully managed over 100 research contracts and grants. He and his students have authored over 492 publications in refereed journals and have co-authored a several books. Professor Pourkashanian has graduated over 104 Ph.D. candidates and supervised over 40 postdoctoral scholars and research associates.

He is currently a member of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF): Industrial Decarbonisation Advisory Group responsible for Hydrogen theme, working group on Defence Supply Chain (DSF) fuel sustainability and a Fellow of the Energy Institute and a Chartered Engineer.

In 2023, Professor Pourkashanian received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Net Zero Research and Innovation.
 
 

Mr Tom Byrne
Head of Net Zero & Environment, British Airways.

Tom and his team’s remit includes accelerating the businesses’ transition to net zero carbon emissions, wider environmental management and reporting.

Tom is a proud Climate Reality Leader, a member of the edie.com 30 under 30 class of 2019 and a recipient of the Acre 365 award. Further to professional achievements, Tom holds a MSc in Carbon Management.

Ms Doris Tan
Head of Aviation Asia Pacific and Middle East, Shell

Doris joined Shell in 1998 and has more than 20 years of commercial experience in the Downstream businesses. Her experience spans from sales and marketing, operations, supply to consulting. She started with running mobility and commercial fuels business across asia pacific before moving on to Oil Products Consultancy where she worked on strategic and M&A projects across UK, US and China. Subsequently, Doris held numerous senior leadership roles in supply, sales and marketing in Global Lubricants.

Mr Jeremy Baines
Chief Commercial Officer, EcoCeres

Mr Jeremy Baines is the Chief Commercial Officer at EcoCeres, the global producer of pure renewable fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel. In this position, he focuses on feedstock strategy, logistics, supply chain optimisation and sales. He is passionate about driving sustainable growth through innovation and committed to finding solutions to help the world transition to Net Zero.

Jermey comes from VARO Energy, where he was also chief commercial officer. Previously, he spent more than 20 years at Neste, where he most recently served as president for Neste US. He initially started his career in the energy sector as a product trader after serving in the British Army.

Jermey holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the City University of London. He currently lives in Zug, Switzerland, with his family.

Mr Merlin Lao (Moderator)
Head – Policy & Research, Business Environment Council

Mr Merlin Lao is Head of Policy & Research at BEC. He leads the team to share develop clear policy positions on pressing climate and environmental topics in Hong Kong, through undertaking research on latest domestic and international trends, engaging with the Hong Kong SAR Government and connecting insights of the local business sector.