Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, has presented a special accolade to Phillips 66’s Humber team, recognising efforts to decarbonise.
Guest of honour at the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards, she reflected on the role as a key link between the regional economies of the UK and Westminster in a keynote address.
It came ahead of the full awards presentation, with Ms Haviland outlining how the Net Zero agenda was one of four main areas her organisation was concentrating on.
Read more: Full story on Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards winners
And recognising the efforts of the event’s headline sponsor across sustainable aviation fuels, electric vehicle battery materials production, green hydrogen and carbon capture fields, she said: “I am pleased to hear about Phillips 66 and their work at the forefront of creating an economy of the future, driving sustainable growth.
“Seizing opportunities now makes the UK a global leader, and it is Chamber members like Phillips 66 that drive this. This is a special award for outstanding achievement.”
The first batch of sustainable aviation fuel was sent to British Airways in March, after a significant multi-year contract was agreed, while progress continues at pace on wider transformations at the complex South Killingholme refinery.
Mike Wailes, director of European strategy for Phillips 66, said: “I’m really pleased to be recognised with a fantastic award.
“We have been working with the government for the last couple of years on these advanced fuels, it is a fantastic opportunity to decarbonise air travel and it has been a real joy working with BA, who are very keen to get domestic supply, and for us it is a significant output.
“There is so much to talk about in terms of what we are doing, but sustainable aviation fuel is here now, physically coming out. The longer term stuff is Humber Zero, our CCS project and Gigastack, green hydrogen - both working with partners - as we look to replace gases used from the refinery.”
Prior to the presentation, the Director General told how the BCC was pushing for an emergency budget.
“We know businesses are facing huge costs, we have seen inflation and now soaring energy costs, with a labour shortage too. We are pressing the government to do something on that.
“We are pushing for building the right future for business, with four main areas.”
Trade, skills and local economic prosperity, focusing on infrastructure and access to finance were key, she said, then leading on to Net Zero.
“We are helping our businesses not only ensure they have zero carbon footprint, but ensuring they are making the most of green innovation,” Ms Haviland said.
