The Technical Advisory Group

We are delighted to introduce the appointed members of TAG, the Technical Advisory Group

INTRODUCING OUR EXPERT TEAM

Ian Atha Headshot mono
What does your current role entail?
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Ensuring that our products meet the claims we are making and demonstrating that customers can have confidence in our recommendations and products.
Specialist Areas
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Lubricant manufacturing, compliance and quality management
Hobbies when not working
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Reading, walking, playing video games (in the winter months) and volunteering at Music Festivals
What challenges do you want to fix?
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Perception that as Lubricants are "oil based" they are part of the environmental "problem", when in fact effective lubrication, improves efficiencies and extends equipment life, reducing emissions and minimising waste.
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Ian Atha Technical & Quality Manager

Working at Certas for almost 2 years now, Ian is working to ensure that our products meet the claims we are making and demonstrating that customers can have confidence in our recommendations and products. 

Having worked in the industry for many years Ian’s previous roles includes; Technical Manager at Duckhams Oils; Technical Manager at Ironsides Lubricants and Quality Manager at Shell Stanlow Lubricants Centre. 

Areas of expertise include; lubricant manufacturing and compliance and quality management. As a bit of a perfectionist, Ian’s motto is “do it right, and do it once”. To maintain a work / life balance Ian reminds himself that technology is there to help him and not control him. 

With so much knowledge working in the industry Ian is leading the TAG team. He has a very important role to play ensuring our customers have the best and most relevant knowledge and industry advice passed on to them. 

Matt Bloomer Technical Services Manager

Matt joined Certas when we acquired the Q8Oils business in March 2021,  and has continued with his role as Technical Services Manager.  Matt provides field and remote support to customers and will now also be supporting the wider business as part of the  Technical Advisory Group. 

A BSC chemist with over 10 years’ experience in developing and the servicing of soluble metalworking fluids, Matt brings a wealth of technical knowledge to the team. 

Matt is also a representative for the UKLA (UK Lubricants association), metalworking product stewardship (PSG) group and has previously represented the UKLA by presenting at webinars in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE),on the subject of “How to work safely with metalworking fluids”.  As part of the UKLA, and in conjunction with the HSE, Matt was also key in  producing the latest “Good practice guide for handling and disposal of metalworking fluids”.

Before joining Q8Oils and Certas, Matt worked at Clariant UK LTD for 13 years as a Microbiological / industrial hygiene consultant.  With all these credentials Matt is most certainly an expert and a key member of TAG. 

matt bloomer
What does your current role entail?
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Manage the technical service team to ensure that activities continue to meet customer requirements and add value to the customer experience.
Specialist Areas
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Metalworking fluids, Industrial lubricants
Hobbies when not working
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Taekwondo, football, music, travel
What challenges do you want to fix?
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Raising the level of effical integrity & sustainability from the source of products to how the consumer uses lubricant products
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What does your current role entail?
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Providing Technical advice to both internal and external customers to ensure the correct and most effective product usage in all sectors with particular focus on Automotive and Energy sectors.
Specialist Areas
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All-rounder due to nature of role but mainly all areas of Automotive and Gas Engines
Hobbies when not working
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Pretty much all sport. Will watch anything and still play and coach cricket and get involved with kids football. Just love being outdoors and have 3 kids that keep me active.
What challenges do you want to fix?
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Ensuring that the never ending OEM complexities are understood by the end user. The enormous changes in our industry in the last 15 years are greater than what has happened in the previous 50 years and these will only become more complex.
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Danny Harwood Technical Application Specialist

Danny also joined Certas when the Q8Oils business was acquired in March 2021.  He worked at Q8Oils as part of the Technical team for over 20 years and handles all  technical enquiries.  Responding to calls and emails from internal and external customers from all sectors and product types, Danny is well placed to handle a variety of issues as a key member of the Technical Advisory Group. 

Holding a BSC degree in Mathematics with Engineering from the Department Of Theoretical Mechanics at Nottingham University. Danny spent 3 years as a QC Chemist learning about formulating and the importance of components and various physical tests and test methods. 

Danny works closely with VLS (Verification of Lubricant Specifications) which is a subsidiary of the UKLA aimed at policing the quality of lubes in the UK market.

Danny’s main area of expertise are the automotive and energy sectors (particularly GEO) sectors.  

Jenni McGrath Regional Sales Manager

Jenni has been with Certas for 14 years, in various roles within the lubricants division  Jenni started as Sales Admin, then moved to Sales Representative, Business Development Manager, and now as Regional Sales Manager, and also now a key member of the Technical Advisory Group.   

In recent years Jenni has been focused more on the Marine & Offshore sectors and has a great knowledge of heavy duty, hydraulic oils & greases.  Keen to learn and progress Jenni has been part of  Shell D-FLTS (Distributor Front Line Technical Support) program since 2017.  

Jenni has completed various training programmes including; Castrol Academy (Auto & Marine sectors), Valvoline’s Tectyl training, and many other courses over the years. Currently undergoing external qualification with the UKLA – Certificate of Lubricants Competence, Jenni is a valuable and much trusted member of the team. 

jenni
What does your current role entail?
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Sales and managing the regional team
Specialist Areas
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Marine, Offshore, HD, Hydraulics, Greases
Hobbies when not working
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Spending time with family, swimming, quizzes
What challenges do you want to fix?
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Knowledge is key so I aim to equip myself and my customers to ensure we work together to provide lubricant solutions.
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What does your current role entail?
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Managing a very large, extensive and complex portfolio of lubricants customers. Support for the lubricants team and wider business and focal point for technical enquiries.
Specialist Areas
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In-depth knowledge of the Global Shell lubricants portfolio past and present.
Hobbies when not working
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Boxing and bootcamp classes 5 times per week, music, good tv series and films, walking and spending time with the family
What challenges do you want to fix?
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Education for resellers and end users alike, so there is more understanding of the needs and requirements to use the right lubricant with the right specification(s) and the right physical properites, for the application in-hand.
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Anthony Conboy Business Account Manager

Tony joined Certas over three years ago as Business Account Manager. Working at Shell UK for 20 years prior to joining Certas, Tony brings a wealth of experience.  When at Shell over thirteen years was spent in Lubricant Technical roles and this will provide TAG with a valuable member on Shell lubricants.  

Along with the new role as a TAG team member Tony manages a very large, extensive and complex portfolio of lubricants customers. He also provides support for the lubricants team and the wider business and is a focal point for technical enquiries. 

With excellent generalist knowledge across all lubricant sectors and applications Tony is strong in Industrial and heavy duty diesel engine oils and greases. 

Paul Round Regional Sales Manager

Paul has been with the business for many years working as Lubricants sales manager, for The Race Group, where he managed the internal sales team. 

Now working in a new role as Regional Sales Manager for Certas Lubricants, he manages the external sales team. With a clear focus on Castrol automotive products promoting the Castrol branded workshops. He also continues to support the Race inhouse sales team, including large national accounts. 

Having worked with the Castrol brand for many years his areas of expertise are around Castrol Automotive and Commercial Oils. 

As well as the new appointment to the Technical Advisory Group Paul is a valued and  knowledgeable member of the team.  

Head shot
What does your current role entail?
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Manage the external sales team and continue to support the Race Inhouse internal accounts including the MOD
Specialist Areas
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Automotive and commercial oils
Hobbies when not working
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Sports, days out with the Family
What challenges do you want to fix?
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Raise the awareness of the correct oils being used in the right applications
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