Consulting leaders to shape strategic dialogue at GPCA’s chemicals forum in Bahrain
At the Annual GPCA Forum in Bahrain, leaders from the consulting industry will play an important role in shaping strategic discussions and leading sessions.
Held from 8-11 December at Exhibition World Bahrain, the Annual GPCA Forum is the flagship event of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), which represents the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf.
The four-day event brings together senior executives, CEOs, policymakers, academics and technology providers from across the chemical and petrochemical sectors to discuss industry trends, forge strategic partnerships, explore innovations – particularly around sustainability – and network across the value chain.
Among the notable line-up of speakers are five leaders from the world of consulting:
David Champagne, a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and the Global Lead of its Scientific AI practice, will provide a keynote address titled ‘Intelligence at Scale: AI’s Breakthrough Moment for Chemicals’.
Based in the US, but with a global mandate, he advises clients in the life sciences and chemicals industry on how they can drive the next frontier of their R&D productivity, specializing in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Marc van Grondelle, a partner at Boston Consulting Group, will lead a session titled ‘CEO Plenary: From Vision to Value – How High Impact Partnerships are Reshaping the Chemical Industry’. This session includes speakers such as Markus Kamieth (CEO of BASF) and Peter Vanacker (CEO of LyondellBasell).
Van Grondelle is based in the firm’s London office and is a leader in the Global Advantage practice. He specializes in joint ventures, alliances, and strategic partnerships.
Piet de Paepe, senior partner at Bain & Company and Global Practice Lead of its Chemicals practice, will lead a session called ‘Innovation at the Crossroads: What Shapes the Future?’. This session will convene senior industry leaders Hans Bohnen (CEO of Röhm), and Steve Prusak (CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company) and Stefan Doboczky (CEO of Borealis).
Commenting on his session, De Paepe said: “Innovation needs both speed and strategic direction. Balancing demand-led opportunities with technology-driven advances helps companies respond to market shifts while building durable advantage. AI is raising the bar for research productivity and time-to-impact. At GPCA, we’ll unpack what this means in practice.”
Andrew Toumazi, the CEO of FGE NexantECA, a globally operating chemicals advisory and research firm, will host the discussion titled ‘Redefining Carbon Management – Technology Pathways Powering GCC’s Carbon Capture & Storage Ambitions’.
Toumazi is based out of London and took on the role of CEO in September, shortly after the merger between FGE, a provider of market intelligence and research for the energy sector, and NexantECA. The deal was backed by private equity firm TA Associates.
On the final day of the event, Arun Bruce, Founder and CEO of Transformation X, will lead the leadership session ‘The Future of Trade Flow: Chemical Value Chains in a Multipolar Global Economy’. Panelists are Ignacio Torras (CEO of Tricon Energy), Stephan Schnabel (Chairman of HELM), and Udo Lange (CEO of Stolt-Nielsen).
Bruce launched TransformationX a few years ago following a 20-year career at Boston Consulting Group, where he served as managing director and partner and led its Operations practice in the Middle East. Transformation X specializes in procurement and supply chain services.
Notably, four of the five firms contributing to the event have recently been named among the Top Chemicals Consulting Firms in the Middle East for 2025. The industry ranking was released last week.
