Member Article

Venator expert takes up national industry position

A Venator expert has taken up a national post as Chair of the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) Responsible Care Strategy Group.

Gary Watson who has worked at Venator for 29 years since leaving university in 1990, started his additional role at the CIA at the beginning of September. Gary, Venator’s UK Regional EHS Manager based at Greatham in Hartlepool, is an industry expert in the field of Responsible Care.

A global initiative, Responsible Care is the chemical industry’s commitment to continual improvement in health, safety, security and environmental performance. In the UK, Responsible Care covers the whole of the chemical supply chain, from manufacturers to distributors and logistics companies.

CIA Council member Gary Watson commented on his position of the CIA Responsible Care Strategy Group: “I’m humbled and delighted to take up my new role. When I look at the names, positions and companies represented on both the strategy group and council, I think ‘wow’.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be part of these important and influential groups, and I’m proud to represent Venator on such a prestigious national forum.”

Venator has won the CIA Responsible Care awards category twice, in 2013 and 2019. In 2014, Venator won three CIA awards for Environmental Leadership, Manufacturing & Resource Efficiency and Company of the Year. In 2015, Venator was also named as winner of the CIA Health Leadership award. Gary continued: “For me, Responsible Care is about caring for our people, our assets, our environment and our communities. Some people call this EHS; I call it caring.

“For our chemicals industry to prosper and grow, we have a moral obligation to act responsibly, in addition to complying with the many legal responsibilities we already have. Responsible Care is plainly the right thing to do and it is something I am passionate about and is integral to our values at Venator.”

CIA Chief Executive Steve Elliot said: “This appointment shows the high respect that colleagues from across the industry have for Gary, his work in the Responsible Care field and for Venator.

“He will be an excellent leader of our Group and formidable champion of Responsible Care. I and the CIA team are looking forward to working with Gary and supporting his leadership.”

Experts in pigments and additives, Venator is a New York Stock Exchange-Listed manufacturer which has its global HQ at Wynyard Park on Teesside.

The company, which employs more than 800 people across the North East, operates 24 facilities and employs around 4,300 associates worldwide. Venator is a global manufacturer and marketer of chemical products, selling Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Performance Additives to customers in more than 110 customers worldwide. Its products are used in thousands of everyday items, including paints, plastics, inks, cosmetics and even smartphones.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Banks .