Commodities trading has always been about having an informational edge. About having better data. With digitalization, data is now produced in exponentially larger quantities and so has our capacity to process it.With digitalization, data is now produced in exponentially larger quantities and so has our capacity to process it. Traders are spending millions on collating and analyzing it. Why are they doing this? Can it lead to a lasting competitive edge? Or should we be skeptical given the monume...
Jan 27, 2021•46 min•Ep. 34
Energy and commodity trading is complex (consider both its physical and financial nature), and so are the rules and regulations surrounding it. Multiple regulators, jurisdictions and standards can apply to a single trade and much is left to the judgement of the actors. But the downsides to getting it wrong just once are enormous for organisations and individuals. In this episode we address compliance in the commodities world with Frank Hayden. What it is, what it means and how digitisation is ch...
Jan 20, 2021•43 min•Ep. 33
Every business faces ESG risks. Those risks are heightened in a sector defined by natural resource extraction and consumption, but so are the opportunities. The key to addressing these risks is having a good plan. A good plan can lead to more – cheaper financing, better valuations, differentiation, and talent attraction. Not having a plan can lead to exclusion from markets, departing employees, and legal exposure. In this episode, we talk to Milena Lopez, CEO of Keops Consulting, which provides ...
Jan 13, 2021•43 min•Ep. 32
In this episode we focus on Clean Hydrogen’s current and future role in transportation, from the aerospace industry, to shipping, to roads. What is the current state of the technology? Where will we see the biggest opportunities and change and what infrastructures will be required.Helping us to navigate the history and future of hydrogen in transportation is Cody Bateman, CEO and Founder of GenH2 (www.discoverhydrogen.com), whose technologies are revolutionizing Clean Hydrogen delivery at the re...
Jan 06, 2021•40 min•Ep. 31
HC Insider Podcast host Paul Chapman, Managing Partner of Human Capital, looks back at this year’s episodes and discusses the key trends that were identified in 2020 in the commodities sector from a talent perspective. Looking forward, he predicts what will be the pressing themes of 2021 and who will be in demand. For more information and a detailed analysis of 2020 visit www.hcInsider.com To connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/ For related c...
Dec 29, 2020•20 min•Ep. 30
By 2030, we will have a vibrant hydrogen economy. However, much investment is required to get to that stage and businesses and entrepreneurs need to commercialize projects far sooner than that to attract investors. To that end, Calvin Johnson, Head of Commercial at Proton Technologies guides us through the various pathways available now to commercialize hydrogen along the value chain. A unique insight and must listen for all those interested in, or contemplating investing in, the hydrogen econom...
Dec 22, 2020•43 min•Ep. 29
Commodities is risky business. Individual traders have lost billions, companies have been sunk by ill-timed asset investments, and sanctions and tariffs can change a market overnight. The commodity market presents some unique risks to its participants, which is also why it can be an extremely lucrative sector. Risk management is designed to protect businesses from taking on unknown or too much risk, yet unforeseen losses and scandals continue. In this episode, David Port guides us through the un...
Dec 15, 2020•45 min•Ep. 28
It has been a challenging couple of years for crude oil producers. Low prices, reticent investors over the impacts of energy transition and now COVID. Nick Allen, General Manager of Global Crude and NGLs at ConocoPhillips, joins us to discuss the state of the crude oil markets and the drivers behind the current trends from acquisitions and consolidation to the surge in returns from trading books. Nick also gives insight into ConocoPhillips’ recent announcement regarding the proposed acquisition ...
Dec 08, 2020•41 min•Ep. 27
Is sustainability another cost the commodity trading world must face or does it present one of the biggest opportunities for the sector over the next decade – bringing new products, new markets and new points of differentiation? And if investors, financiers and customers demand it, can participants afford to ignore it? On November 10, 2020, Paul Chapman hosted a panel at the Reuters Commodity Trading Summit focused on sustainability and profitability in commodities trading. On the panel were Mat...
Dec 02, 2020•28 min•Ep. 26
Will clean hydrogen be one of the most actively traded commodities in the next decade? Already exchanges are publishing prices and trading houses, shippers, utilities, and oil and gas producers are engaged in projects and building teams and regulators are discussing market structures. In this episode our guest, Erik Rakhou of Baringa Partners, walks us through the factors and steps it will take to get there, the various initiatives underway right now, and the likely journey the market will take....
Nov 24, 2020•51 min•Ep. 25
Joining us to explain the why, what and how of hydrogen is Dr JJ Traynor, principal and co-founder of HydrogenOne Capital – an investment firm dedicated to the sector. JJ brings 30 years of energy and finance experience and walks us through the industry today and predictions about what (and where) it will be over the coming decades. Grey, Blue, Green and Turquoise, we cover it all. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities se...
Nov 17, 2020•34 min•Ep. 24
Lower prices, lower volatility and increased transparency, led participants to exit and drive consolidation. Now that dynamic could be set to change as US production is under threat from low prices and weak investment and the US gas market goes global with LNG. Joining us to discuss the US Natural Gas market’s history and future is Peter Tumminello, Group President, Commercial Businesses, Southern Company Gas – a family of gas companies offering a range of products and services from storage, tra...
Nov 11, 2020•46 min•Ep. 23
2020 saw the creation of PipeChina to further streamline the market’s transportation and distribution. It is also a unique market with differences at the political, regulatory and market structure level (LNG is trucked around the country!). Is it the next big trading opportunity in natural gas? Will it go on to dominate LNG import market? Joining us to discuss this fascinating market and its future is Mark Lay, Deputy General Manager of Derivatives Trading at ENN – the country’s largest publicly...
Nov 04, 2020•39 min•Ep. 22
Joining us to discuss three big ways the market will change over the next 5 years is Simon Collins, CEO and Founder of TradeCloud, a Director at EdgePetrol and former Head of Bulk Trading at Trafigura. Simons uses his wealth of experience in running trading businesses and in launching, and investing in, technology centered solutions to the commodities sector to give us his take on where, how and to whom change is coming. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedi...
Oct 29, 2020•40 min•Ep. 21
It has also brought losses as investors and investments have been challenged, and even surprised, by the risks in commodities. Furthermore, it may also be facing an industry reckoning of epic proportions in the shale industry. Joining us to discuss PE is David Port, a partner at TDI Capital advisors, and commodities market veteran. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global...
Oct 20, 2020•39 min•Ep. 20
Often, energy and natural resource production is located in areas more prone to climate change, and frequently in emerging market nations, climate change risks highlight the protection/risk transfer "gap" that can lead to economic or political instability. A recent Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) report highlighted the risks posed by climate change while urging the development of new products and derivatives needed by businesses to manage the risks. In this episode, Brian Beebe, He...
Oct 07, 2020•41 min•Ep. 19
Will COVID-19 accelerate changes to how commodities are traded? Will we see more failures and further pull back of trade finance? Or will COVID-19 trigger a resurgence in opportunities for trading businesses with a retrenchment in globalization and a new concern of supply chain security. Craig gives us his insight and even some predictions. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global...
Sep 30, 2020•41 min•Ep. 18
We look at the common attributes and behaviors required to be a successful trader. We examine how the environment of the trader can support or hinder performance. We look at how motivations and performance can change over time and what career paths are open to individuals. Finally, we look at how the skillset itself is changing as technology continues to evolve the role. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit...
Sep 23, 2020•33 min•Ep. 17
2020 has highlighted how trading platforms can protect natural resource producers price shocks and boost earnings through extracting more value from the products and with better reach into the market place. Those oil majors with trading groups have significantly outperformed their peers without. With producers of natural resources around the world building or retooling trading platforms in response, it is a good time to consider what a trading business is, what it can offer and what factors lead...
Sep 16, 2020•33 min•Ep. 16
Roy makes a compelling argument that all investors should follow the commodities sector and expands on the asset class' role in portfolio theory. Roy was involved in the creation of the first commodity index so we walk through some of the types of products available to gain exposure and express positions. We also look to the future. With COVID, Energy Transition and host of new commodities becoming ever more relevant, Roy also discusses what the future might hold for investors in the sector. We ...
Sep 09, 2020•38 min•Ep. 15
Far from being just a domestic US affair, this election promises to be one of the most consequential for the global energy and commodities sector in decades, given the stark differences between the two contending platforms. Robert gives us his insight on what those differences are and the consequences for markets and businesses operating in the US and around the world. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit h...
Sep 02, 2020•47 min•Ep. 14
Roland is one of the leading thinkers in the commodities sector and Global Head of Oil & Gas, Mining & Chemicals at Oliver Wyman For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
Aug 20, 2020•37 min•Ep. 13
Roland is one of the leading thinkers in the commodities sector and Global Head of Oil & Gas, Mining & Chemicals at Oliver Wyman For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
Aug 13, 2020•34 min•Ep. 12
Why the Solar Decade and what will that mean in terms of scale? What are the benefits for generators and investors? Is it geographically restricted by sunbelts? How will the solar decade change the competitive landscape for current participants? Why has the solar decade not already happened, and will it need governmental support? What does it mean for power traders and risk managers? What will be the key trends in development and deployment as we progress through the next decade? For related con...
Aug 06, 2020•33 min•Ep. 11
What challenges did refiners and integrated majors face at the start of 2020? What were the various strategic responses at that time? What did the arrival of COVID-19 do to that picture? How can you balance investing in transition with declining demand and prices? If value chain optimization and data unlock that what are the operational and cultural shifts required? Who will be the participants? Do the trading houses have a role to play? For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a...
Jul 30, 2020•38 min•Ep. 10
How is the chemicals sector categorised and what is its economic scale and importance? How has the market, opportunities, and participants changed in response to the pressures all commodity markets face from disintermediation and digitisation? Why has it been a challenging space for traditional commodity producers and traders? The chemicals sector remains fragmented compared to other commodities – is this an opportunity for the big commodity houses? Are Amazon and Alibaba a threat? Can chemicals...
Jul 23, 2020•38 min•Ep. 9
What is the state of the US power grid? What is driving change and what trends can we discern? What is the power grid of the future? What could hinder or accelerate that transformation – role of investment and regulation? What opportunities does that present and who will capture it? What does that mean for the power trader of the future? The rise of the nodal trader and big data. The likelihood that big tech will take over the power markets. What time frame are we talking? For related content an...
Jul 09, 2020•42 min•Ep. 8
What is the background to and impact of negative oil prices? What was the impact of Dodd-Frank on financialization of commodities market? Given recent scandals in Asia is more regulation needed? How prevalent are algorithms in the commodities world? What does this mean for active vs passive trading? What have been the catalysts to changes in the market? What's the long-lasting impact from covid-19 on commodities space? What is the future of commodities as an asset class? Who are the institutiona...
Jul 02, 2020•34 min•Ep. 7
What is unique about financing in and for the commodities markets? What have been some of the major trends and changes in client expectations since the global financial crisis? Impact of COVID-19? What can banks and clients do to protect themselves? Digitalization and the bank industry's role? ESG and the commodities sector? For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global...
Jun 25, 2020•50 min•Ep. 6
How have the LNG markets changed in the last decade? How will local markets respond to a more globalized gas market? What opportunities does that present and who (and how) can capture it? What do these changes mean for natural gas producers? Has COVID19 impacted these trends? For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
Jun 11, 2020•40 min•Ep. 5
