At the Annual GPCA Forum in Bahrain, consulting industry leaders will play a pivotal role in shaping strategic discussions and guiding high-level sessions. The forum, held from 8–11 December at Exhibition World Bahrain, is the flagship event of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), representing the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf.
Bringing Industry Stakeholders Together
The four-day forum convenes CEOs, senior executives, policymakers, academics, and technology providers from across the chemical and petrochemical sectors. Participants will explore industry trends, forge strategic partnerships, showcase innovations—particularly around sustainability—and network across the value chain.
Consulting Experts Leading Key Sessions
Five consulting leaders will headline sessions, offering insights on AI, innovation, partnerships, carbon management, and global trade. David Champagne, senior partner at McKinsey & Company and Global Lead of its Scientific AI practice, will deliver the keynote ‘Intelligence at Scale: AI’s Breakthrough Moment for Chemicals’. He advises life sciences and chemical clients globally, helping them leverage emerging technologies such as AI to boost R&D productivity.
Marc van Grondelle, partner at Boston Consulting Group, will lead the session ‘CEO Plenary:
From Vision to Value – How High Impact Partnerships are Reshaping the Chemical Industry’. Panelists include Markus Kamieth (BASF) and Peter Vanacker (LyondellBasell). Van Grondelle specializes in joint ventures, alliances, and strategic partnerships through BCG’s Global Advantage practice.
Piet de Paepe, senior partner at Bain & Company and Global Practice Lead for Chemicals, will host ‘Innovation at the Crossroads:
What Shapes the Future?’. Panelists include Hans Bohnen (Röhm), Steve Prusak (Chevron Phillips Chemical), and Stefan Doboczky (Borealis). De Paepe notes, “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.”
Andrew Toumazi, CEO of FGE NexantECA, will lead ‘Redefining Carbon Management:
Technology Pathways Powering GCC’s Carbon Capture & Storage Ambitions’. Toumazi, based in London, assumed the CEO role following the merger of FGE and NexantECA, backed by TA Associates, and will guide discussions on carbon management and sustainability initiatives in the region.
On the final day, Arun Bruce, Founder and CEO of Transformation X, will lead ‘The Future of Trade Flow:
Chemical Value Chains in a Multipolar Global Economy’. Panelists include Ignacio Torras (Tricon Energy), Stephan Schnabel (HELM), and Udo Lange (Stolt-Nielsen). Bruce brings two decades of experience from Boston Consulting Group, where he led the Middle East Operations practice. Transformation X specializes in procurement and supply chain services.
Top Consulting Firms Recognized in the Middle East
Notably, four of the five consulting firms contributing to the event were recently named among the Top Chemicals Consulting Firms in the Middle East for 2025, highlighting the strategic expertise brought to the forum.
Driving the Future of the Chemicals Industry
As reported by consultancy-me.com, with consulting leaders guiding discussions on AI, innovation, partnerships, carbon management, and global trade, the GPCA forum promises to be a strategic platform for shaping the chemicals industry’s future. Their insights will help companies navigate emerging trends, strengthen collaborations, and accelerate sustainable growth across the Gulf region.
