Beyond The Blend
Beyond the Blend is a conversational podcast series that explores the personal and professional journeys of individuals in the lubricant sector. Hosts Steve Knapp and Rob Taylor aim to inspire listeners by sharing stories about careers, challenges, successes, and learning moments. The focus is on humanising the industry, showcasing its diversity, and highlighting personal experiences to attract and inspire talent. Guests discuss pivotal moments, including their greatest challenges or adversities and the lessons learned, to demonstrate the rich opportunities within the sector.
Episodes
Adrian Hill
What does 40+ years in lubricants teach you? Stay curious, stay agile and never stop learning. Steve Knapp talks with Adrian Hill, Group Technical Director at Morris Lubricants, about four decades of change in the lubricant industry, growing technical complexity and why expertise only creates value when customers can understand it. Adrian shares his journey from the laboratory to technical leaders
Wendy Hakken aka The Oil Lady
What happens when technical expertise, personal brand and a very human approach to selling come together? Wendy Hakken, better known as The Oil Lady,joins Steve Knapp on Beyond the Blend to share an unconventional journey into lubricants that started with a chance encounter, took her into Chicago steel mills and ultimately built a career across distributors, Shell, OEMs and heavy-duty equipment. I
Beyond The Blend LIVE at Lubricant Expo Düsseldorf 2026
Are lubricant businesses genuinely adopting AI, or are individual employees simply experimenting with it? And how much of that activity is actually making life better for the customer?Recorded live at Lubricant Expo Düsseldorf 2026, this episode of Beyond the Blend brings five industry voices together for a practical, candid discussion about artificial intelligence in the lubricants industry.Rob T
Beyond The Blend Special: LUBELife — Who Will Power Our Industry Tomorrow?
The lubricants industry talks a lot about the future — technology, sustainability, new applications and changing customer needs.But there is another question we need to ask:Who is going to power our industry tomorrow?In this special edition of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp is joined by Tina Reading of LUBE Media to explore LUBELife and the new LUBE Media STEM Ambassador Programme.The challenge may
Khashayar Hajiahmad
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp is joined by Khashayar Hajiahmad, a machinery lubrication and reliability specialist whose career has taken him from a young mechanical engineer in Iran to SKF, Oman, EPT Clean Oil and now a new chapter in training and consultancy.Khash shares the story behind his relentless curiosity and appetite for learning, including the mentors who helped shape
Linda Perry
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp is joined by Linda Perry, whose career spans laboratories, leadership, reliability, business development and lifelong learning. What began as a receptionist's role evolved into a remarkable career built on curiosity, trust and a passion for helping others succeed.Linda shares the influence of mentor Bill Herguth, why breaking down organisational
Doug Sackett
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp sits down with Doug Sackett, Certified Lubrication Specialist, industry educator, mentor and lifelong advocate for raising standards across the lubrication and reliability profession.From growing up in a family business and unexpectedly finding his way into lubricants, to becoming a respected voice within the reliability community, Doug shares the e
Vanda Franco
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp speaks with Vanda Franco, a reliability and lubrication professional whose career has taken her from Portugal to Qatar through marine chemistry, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, oil analysis and machine reliability.Vanda shares her remarkable journey of continuous learning, adapting to new industries and building credibility in a traditionally male-
Jamie Shaw
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with Jamie Shaw, Director of OMS LubriTek Limited, to talk about building a business, spotting opportunity where others see routine, and why technical curiosity still matters.Jamie shares his journey from mechanical engineering apprentice to technical sales, and ultimately launching OMS LubriTek with a clear ambition to do things differently in oil
Yana Wilkinson
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Rob sits down with Yana Wilkinson to explore the role of insight, decision-making and leadership in an industry that is constantly evolving.Yana brings a fresh perspective on what market research really is. It’s not just data, reports or databases, it’s about helping businesses make better decisions. Whether that’s through insight, structured thinking or simply
Mike Davidson
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve sits down with Mike Davidson to explore a career shaped by international experience, strong influences, and a thoughtful approach to leadership. From growing up across the Middle East to returning to the UK as a teenager, Mike’s early life gave him a broader view of people, culture and work. That perspective, combined with the influence of his father’s en
Beyond the Blend - Live!
Guests: Jade Thompson (RecondOil / SKF), Nick Forster (CC Jensen), Jamie Shaw (OMS LubriTek)Hosts: Steve Knapp & Rob TaylorIn this special Beyond the Blend Live episode, Steve and Rob sit down in Sheffield with three experienced voices from across the lubricant and reliability community. Recorded during Jade Thompson’s UK Lubricants Social, the conversation explores how the lubricant industry
Cameron Clarke
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve sits down with Cameron Clarke, Head of Sales and Operations at Oil Store, for one of the most honest and human conversations we’ve had on the podcast.Cam didn’t grow up dreaming of lubricants. His journey started on the top deck of a bus, scrolling Indeed, looking for direction. From office administrator to sales leader, from blagging Excel skills at inte
Simon Campbell
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve sits down with Simon Campbell, Managing Director of Pure Lubrication, to trace a career that, like many in our industry, didn’t begin with a childhood dream of selling lubricants.From hospitality management and retail, to fuel sales at Highland Fuels, through many years at The Lubricant Company, and now leading Pure Lubrication, Simon’s journey is one of
Collette and Paul Whiting
In this special episode of Beyond the Blend, Rob is joined by two guests for the first time, Collette and Paul, the husband-and-wife leadership team behind Delta Xero.This is a conversation about far more than filtration technology. It’s about building a business together, balancing innovation with structure, and learning how to scale without becoming the bottleneck.Paul brings the entrepreneurial
René Abrahams
René Abrahams’ journey is anything but ordinary.Born and raised in Durban during apartheid-era South Africa, René entered the workforce at a moment of profound national change. What followed was a career shaped by curiosity, courage, activism, and an unwavering belief in evolution, personally, professionally, and industrially.From being among the first women to work in refinery laboratories, to le
Jade Thompson
Jade Thompson didn’t plan a career in lubricants, like many in our industry, she arrived by accident and stayed by choice. Originally seeking lab experience to support a Master’s in equine parasitology, Jade found herself drawn into oil analysis, reliability, and ultimately circular lubrication and sustainability. Today, she plays a key role supporting sales and customers globally with RecondOil a
Brenna Huovie
How do you build a career that keeps evolving as fast as the industry you’re in?In this powerful episode, we meet Brenna Huovie, a chemical engineer turned global business leader whose 30+ year career spans Exxon, Honeywell UOP and now Lubrizol. From refinery floors to corporate boardrooms, Brenna has reinvented herself multiple times while staying rooted in science, curiosity and a genuine desire
Tobias Daley
From apprentice in a noisy workshop to leading a global innovation team shaping the future of industrial efficiency, Tobias Daley’s journey is a brilliant reflection of where tradition meets transformation in the lubricants and fluid power world. His story is filled with curiosity, hands-on learning, family values, and a passion for helping industry do things better -sustainably, digitally, and wi
Amanda Hay
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with Amanda Hay, a journalist-turned-data leader whose career spans community newspapers, graphic design, energy reporting, and now global commodity intelligence at ICIS.Amanda’s story is a brilliant reminder that skills aren’t linear, they evolve. From her early days in local newsrooms to now guiding global base oil insight for one of the industry’
Jim Carroll
In this powerful episode, Beyond the Blend heads to St. Louis, Missouri, to meet Jim Carroll - Executive VP at Schaeffer Manufacturing and current President of the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA).Jim’s story spans decades of service - in both the U.S. Army, where he served for 30 years and rose to the rank of Colonel, and in the lubricant industry, where he’s spent over 25 y
Gwyn Simmonds
From geology graduate to global sales leader, Gwyn Simmonds has spent more than 25 years at the intersection of data, reliability, and customer trust. In this episode, Steve explores how a curiosity-driven career led Gwyn from the lab bench to the boardroom and what’s changed along the way.Gwyn shares honest reflections on leadership, travel, and learning on the job, revealing how oil analysis has
Lisanne Hoolwerf
From hospitality and accountancy to marketing in the lubricant sector, Lisanne Hoolwerf brings a refreshing outsider’s lens to an industry often defined by tradition and technical jargon. In this episode, she shares her journey into lubricants, her passion for translating complex ideas into customer-centric stories, and why curiosity and consistency are her secret weapons.Recorded live as part of
Gemma Stephenson
In this episode, we welcome Gemma Stephenson, Business Development Manager at Cargill Bio industrial, whose journey spans from the lab bench in tribology to shaping sustainability conversations across the lubricants industry.Gemma’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and purpose. From her early days testing blends and MTM machines to presenting at international conferences, she’s built a career t
Beyond the Blend LIVE from Lubricant Expo - The Buyer Revolution in Focus
Recorded at: Lubricant Expo, Düsseldorf September 2025Panel Guests:• Lisanne Hoolwerf – Head of Marketing at Olyslager• Daniel Tait – Managing Director at Oil Store• Jade Thompson – Business Development Manager at SKF RecondOil• Elisa Swanson-Parbäck – Business Development Director – Sustainable Lubricants at Perstorp GroupHosted by: Rob Taylor and Steve Knapp (Plan Grow Do) 🎧 Episode Overview:In
Angus Macdonald
In this episode, we sit down with Angus Macdonald, Co-Founder and Director at A&S International, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey in the lubricants and reliability sector, spanning innovation, sustainability, and the power of partnerships.Angus opens up about the pivotal decisions that shaped his path: leaving the security of corporate life, taking the leap to co-found a family busines
Annie Lindsell
In this episode, we sit down with Annie Lindsell, Sales Operations Director at Blueprint Event Company, as she shares her unconventional journey into the lubricants industry and how she’s found purpose and passion in an unexpected place.What’s Inside:• Annie’s leap from fine art and Laura Ashley uniforms into the heart of the global lubricants event scene• Why the Blueprint team’s culture and the
Trevor Gauntlett
In this powerful episode of Beyond the Blend, we speak with Trevor Gauntlett of Trevor Gauntlett Consulting; a chemist, former Shell leader, basketball coach, Movember fundraiser, and all-round role model. From being a leading voice in the lubricant sector to building community through sport and advocacy, Trevor shares the story behind the science, his deep sense of purpose, and the people-first e
Caitlin Jacobs
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with Caitlin Jacobs, ILMA’s Director of Communications and Member Engagement, whose work sits at the crossroads of storytelling, strategy, and service. Caitlin shares how she’s helping shape the future of the lubricants industry—not just through campaigns and comms, but through listening, elevating voices, and building bridges across generations and
Bhavika Sachdeva
In this inspiring and deeply human episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve speaks with Bhavika Sachdeva a business leader, a creative, a parent, and a strong advocate for women in the lubricants industry.Bhavika shares her remarkable journey of joining the family business straight after an arranged marriage at 21, stepping into a male-dominated manufacturing world, and learning to find her voice, confi
Keri Craig
In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode of Beyond the Blend, we’re joined by Keri Craig, Director at Interflon Scotland, whose professional journey, from global education at the British Council to helping lead a family-run lubricant business, is packed with insight, emotion, and a powerful sense of purpose.From raising teenagers in two cultures to rediscovering her roots in Scotland, and from g
Elisa Swanson-Parbäck
In this powerful episode of Beyond the Blend, we welcome Elisa Swanson-Parbäck, Business Development Director – Sustainable Lubricants at Perstorp Group. From a diving instructor in Finland to the European Parliament in Brussels, Elisa’s journey blends sustainability, business acumen, and personal purpose. This conversation uncovers how curiosity, reflection, and community spirit have propelled he
Mark Lord
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with Mark Lord, Managing Director of Aztec Oils Ltd, who brings four decades of real-world experience, unfiltered honesty, and a deep passion for people to the mic. From fridges at Heelas to founding and scaling one of the UK’s most respected lubricant businesses, Mark’s journey is all about spotting opportunity, trusting people, and never standing
Ella Auchterlounie
In this energising episode of Beyond the Blend, we’re joined by Ella Auchterlounie, Marketing Executive at Vickers Oils, who brings fresh eyes, digital savvy, and a whole lot of energy to one of the lubricant industry’s oldest names. From YouTube beginnings to breathing new life into a 200-year-old brand, Ella shares her journey into the world of B2B marketing and how she’s helping make a traditio
Neil Chahal
In this energising episode of Beyond the Blend, we meet Neil Chahal, Commercial Director at EL Oils, whose journey from warehouse apprentice to senior leadership is a masterclass in curiosity, humility, and hands-on growth. With trademark wit and unfiltered honesty, Neil walks us through how early lessons, good (and bad) managers, and a focus on people-first leadership have shaped his evolving vis
Tina Reading
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with Tina Reading, Head of Media at the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA) and Editor of Lube Magazine. But Tina’s story goes far beyond press releases and page layouts. From Tudor history to grassroots football, and from launching lifestyle magazines to community toy drives, her career is a masterclass in passion, versatility, and the pow
Anthony Roberts
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, host Rob Taylor sits down with Anthony Roberts, CEO of Blueprint Event Company and the driving force behind Lubricant Expo, the world's largest lubricant-focused exhibition. Anthony shares how his passion for events, music, and community-building led him to create a global platform that is shaping the future of the lubricant industry.Key Topics Discussed:✅ The
Elaine Hepley
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with Elaine Hepley, a varnish specialist, technical services and sales manager at Delta Zero, and founder of Solana Consulting. Elaine’s journey is anything but ordinary—spanning criminology, blood splatter analysis, classic car restoration, and data analytics before she became a leading voice in varnish mitigation.With her trademark passion and ene
Rafe Britton
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, host Rob Taylor sits down with Rafe Britton, engineer, lubrication specialist, and creator of Lubrication Explained, a highly successful YouTube channel educating the industry.Rafe shares his journey from aerospace engineering to lubricants, the industry's marketing problem, and how AI is changing the way people work and buy.Key Topics Discussed:* The Accid
Richard Camper
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, host Rob Taylor sit down with Richard Camper, President of ILMA (Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association) and EVP of Hasco Oil.Richard shares his insights on the evolving lubricant industry, talent attraction challenges, AI’s role in shaping business strategies, and the need for a fresh narrative about lubricants’ contribution to sustainability.Key Topi
Sophie Wand
In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp speaks with Sophie Wand, Sales and Marketing Advisor for UK Lubricants Indirect at Shell, about her journey from a graduate program to a pivotal role at one of the world's largest energy companies. Please note: Sophie's views are her own.Sophie’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and seizing opportuniti
James Moorhouse
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with James Moorhouse, Director at ABN Resource, to explore his fascinating journey from a recruitment agency floor in Leeds to becoming a leading voice in lubricants talent management.With candour and insight, James shares how he’s reshaping recruitment practices and raising the profile of the lubricants industry.Key Takeaways:A Purpose-Driven Caree
Daniel Tait
In this insightful episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp sits down with Daniel Tait, Managing Director of Oil Store, to explore his inspiring journey from starting as an office junior to leading one of the UK's most dynamic lubricant distributors. Daniel shares his story of growth, challenges, and the bold moves that have shaped Oil Store into a trailblazer in the lubricant industry.Key tak
John Grierson
In this compelling episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with John Grierson, Sales Director at Pennine Lubricants, as he shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in the warehouse to leading one of the industry's most respected teams.With over 25 years of experience, John reflects on how his hands-on approach — from smashing drainpipes to navigating the Yellow Pages — shaped his
Sanya Mathura
In this vibrant episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp connects with Sanya Mathura, Founder and CEO of Strategic Reliability Solutions Ltd.Sanya shares her dynamic journey from electrical and computer engineering into the world of lubricants and reliability solutions. From her early challenges as a young female engineer breaking into a male-dominated industry to building a globally recognised bu
Leyla Alieva
In this compelling episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp delves into an inspiring conversation with Leyla Alieva, CEO and Co-founder of Neol Copper Technologies.Leyla shares her remarkable journey from a career in finance and investment banking to pioneering innovation within the lubricant industry. She candidly discusses the challenges and opportunities of running a startup in a traditionally
Welcome to Beyond The Blend
Meet Rob and Steve - your hosts of Beyond The Blend. In this short introductory episode they explain the motivation behind starting this podcast, and the stories and people they aim to cover as the series unfolds.
