Position: Chair of the Global Science Council
Organisation: World Liquid Gas Association
Bio: Formerly the Chief Technology Officer of Futuria Fuels (an SHV Energy company) Keith was instrumental during a 10 year period in the development and expansion of the company’s renewable energy solutions and the formation of the Futuria Fuels business unit in 2023. He is currently the Chair of the Global Science Council of the World Liquid Gas Association, having inaugurated an annual Scientific Conference series since 2023.
As an Industrial Chemist by training, and with experience in innovation management in sustainable energy and carbon abatement technologies, he was central to development of the scientific base for new technology in Futuria Fuels. By establishing collaborative Research and Development programmes, Keith identifies and supports technologies which help companies reach the goal of being increasingly low carbon. This includes technologies based around bioLPG, renewable Dimethyl Ether (rDME) and hydrogen.
He has led global teams of experienced research and development professionals, both internally and externally, together with academic groups in Europe, North and South America and recently Southern Africa and India.
His scientific and technical leadership has resulted in the development of a process for the production of On-purpose manufacture of BioLPG and BioAromatics from Ethanol. The aromatic components also have the potential to be qualified for use as Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This patent-pending route is currently being tested, in partnership with GTI Energy, at a pilot plant in Chicago. Further (patented) processes include the conversion of bio-isopropyl alcohol and biobutanol to propane in collaboration with Drochaid Research and Aston University respectively. He also collaborated with Astomos Energy and Furukawa Electric in Japan, exploring the conversion of biogas to bioLPG.
Keith has also supported the establishment of a joint venture between Kew Technologies and SHV Energy. Circular Fuels Limited, at the time a joint-venture with Dimeta, aiming to establish an Advanced Conversion Technology for renewable and low-carbon rDME production.
His contribution to promoting scientific and technical progress has been recognised with innovation awards from the World LPG Association in both 2021, 2022 and 2024. He was also recognized by Biofuels Digest magazine as being one of the top 500 global leaders in the bioeconomy field in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Keith regularly publishes his scientific work with partners in peer-reviewed journals and was formerly Chair of the World Biogas Association Policy, Innovation and Technical Committee.
Before joining SHV Energy, Keith held roles in many organisations including Johnson Matthey, Avantium Technologies, BP, Elastopoli, Oxford University and the European Commission. These posts covered a wide range of commercial, scientific, teaching and consulting positions.
