The VOICE of Richard Oblath, Class of 1970
An in-depth conversation with Richard Oblath, Class of 1970, discussing his upbringing, education, and career journey. Richard shares his educational journey with a particular emphasis on King Alfred School, where his initial values were instilled.
He learned the importance of treating people equally, irrespective of their gender. He talks about how the inclusivity in the school atmosphere influenced his worldview and interaction with people of varying backgrounds. This led him to nurture strong relationships within culturally diverse groups and engage in mentoring activities later in life, especially when he moved into the business world after his PhD.
Richard dives into his aspirations of becoming an engineer and making contributions to the energy industry, inspired by early moments in his life living opposite the first suspension bridge in the world. The conversation also provides glimpses of British society in the 60s and 70s, touching on the themes of feminism and LGBTQ+ rights. Oblath also shares poignant memories about his mother, who escaped Nazi Germany. The episode draws to an end with Richard expressing gratitude for his educational experiences, reflecting the substantial influence of King Alfred School.
This conversation takes place outside in the school garden.
Creators and Guests
Composer
Amy Cash
Amy Cash is an actress, VoiceOver artist and an Old Alfredian from the Class of 2020, having joined The King Alfred School (KAS) for Sixth Form. Since KAS, she has gone on to train at Mountview Drama School and is pursuing a career in acting. She kindly offered to lend us her voice and record the introductions for Alfredian Voices - with a little help from Dan in music. Make sure to watch out for an Amy shaped space on a stage or screen near you soon!
Producer
Heather Roberts
Alumni and Development Officer: Heather has been the Alumni and Development Officer at The King Alfred School since 2020. Having become disillusioned with her career in the fashion industry Heather moved to this role within Development and Alumni Relations, pulling on her transferable skills. Heather credits her ease at engaging with new people and different audiences with having lived overseas for seven years in Moscow, Russia and Bogota, Colombia. As a self-confessed nosey person who likes a good natter, the Alfredian Voices podcast has been the dream project for Heather to work on.
Guest
Richard Oblath
Richard has built a portfolio of global advisory positions for Boards and C-Suite Executives in the Downstream Oil, Chemicals and energy intensive industries focusing on strategy and corporate transformations ahead of the Energy Transition. He is the Executive Chairman of H2Transition Capital LLP an emerging global fund focused on developing, managing and investing in the hydrogen value chain. In addition Richard is a non-executive director of Boson Energy (a waste to energy/hydrogen firm) and Firmus Energy a gas distribution company in Northern Ireland. He is the Chair of the Energy Transition Group of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (where he also a Fellow), a Fellow of the Energy Institute, a member of Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs) and a member of Chapter Zero (a community of non-executive directors who understand and can position the Energy Transition with their board colleagues). During his industrial career Richard lived and worked in the UK, Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore and the USA. He has managed businesses, a JV, a technology group, a manufacturing site and been involved in sales & marketing, strategy both at the corporate and business level at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for 14 years and then various companies of the Royal Dutch Shell Group for 25 years. He has held a variety of Non-Executive Directorships including most recently on the Board of Vivo Energy and Shell Vivo Lubricants with businesses in 15 African countries (2014 - 2017) and previously Shell Oil Products Company LLC, Equilon Enterprises LLC, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company and various other USA companies of the Royal Dutch Shell Group (2010 - 2013) plus various companies throughout Asia (2004 through 2007). A common theme during my career has been my leadership of M&A activities. Richard was accountable for over 50 transactions from $10mln to $10bln+ with different counter party types (major corporations, small businesses, family companies and private equity firms) and in multiple countries & cultures (US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Caribbean, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Japan, Australia, India, Malaysia, China and the Middle East). Richard's non-profit and philanthropic endeavors include having been Chairman and previously a Trustee of the London Chamber Orchestra Trust until March 2021 and the named sponsor of 6 scholarships a year for Nottingham University undergraduates receiving financial aid allowing them to undertake studies overseas.
Producer
Tamlyn Worrall
Development & Alumni Relations Director: As a consummate professional in the Alumni Relations and Development space, Tamlyn brings years of experience to cultivating relationships with our Old Alfredians. With a footprint in South Africa, Australia, and Japan, Tamlyn proudly calls London home, and it’s here that she’s developed her career in the education sector. At the heart of what she does, Tamlyn loves connecting with and learning about our OAs. She approaches every conversation with a sincere curiosity and warmth, finding herself fascinated by the details of every story. This podcast series was a germ of an idea in 2020 and thanks to a fabulous podcast editor we have finally been able to bring these Old Alfredian stories to a wider audience.
