WLPGA's Interview with UKLPG Chair and Chief Executive

© UKLPGUKLPG executives Nikki Brown and Rob Shuttleworth

Nikki, what does it mean for the UK LP Gas sector to host what is expected to be one of the biggest global gatherings of the industry to date?
Nikki: The UKLPG board and the wider UKLPG membership see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity for all our members to network and share best practice with their global and European colleagues. LP Gas is used and brought to market in so many different ways so there is always a lot we can learn, and experiences we can exchange with our counterparts in other parts of the world. Having several thousand LP Gas professionals in the heart of London will allow us an opportunity to highlight what we do well here in the UK and promote our industry to external stakeholders. This event will be a unique opportunity for us in this respect, enabling us to demonstrate how our product plays such an important role across the globe.

Rob, one of the conference sessions is hosted by UKLPG, could you tell our readers a little about what they can expect to learn and who will be speaking?
Rob: The main aim of this session is to look beyond standard business models and to see how the versatility of LP Gas is successfully applied in the developed markets. We expect to have speakers from all over the world, and of course the UK, giving insight into the policy context LP Gas must operate and examples of success. We are honoured to be welcoming Baroness Finlay of Llandaff to open this session. Baroness Finlay is an advocate of many public health causes and with LP Gas offering a clean alternative both as a heating and automotive fuel, it is very fitting that she will offer some opening remarks.

Outside of the conference sessions, what are you looking forward to during the event?
Nikki: Being part of a company group which exhibits each year at both the AEGPL Congress, and WLPGA Forum this year’s exhibition is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet. London will obviously attract a lot of visitors, many of whom will be energy decision-makers, and this will be a fantastic opportunity for companies to get behind their industry and show what it has to offer.
Rob: As the hosting industry association we are looking forward to welcoming people from so many countries, and I’m confident that by the end of the event, we will have made a lot of new business connections and friends from the global LPG community. In terms of specific events, the UK LP Gas industry is also taking the opportunity to highlight the benefits of LP Gas at a reception in the UK Parliament at which our members will have the chance to talk to MPs to discuss how our product can contribute to the energy mix in the UK.

Any tips on visiting London?
Nikki: Many of the city’s most iconic attractions are all a short walk from the main conference venue and well worth a visit such as Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Churchill War Rooms and Whitehall.
Rob: The London Pass is an economic way to see over 160 attractions in the city at a reduced rate. Details are available via the website, and you can pay for a day pass or more depending on how much time you have and how many sites you wish to visit.