INEOS

"When it comes to it, success in business is all down to people. Thanks to all the INEOS team over the past twenty-five years."

"Why has INEOS been so successful in such a short period of time in an industry that has been around for over a century? We have grown from nothing in 1998 to revenues of $65 billion and EBITDA peaking at $10 billion in a mere twenty-five years. Not only that, but I would guess we will grow by another 50–100 per cent in the next five years, given what I can see in the pipeline."

"All board meetings in INEOS commence with safety. Note: In INEOS safety comes before finance and profit. Every single recordable injury is described by the relevant management team to Andy and me in our monthly board meetings. Cause, consequence, learnings and actions are presented and collectively agreed. INEOS starts and ends with safety. Every employee knows this. We unashamedly have bonus metrics based on safety. It requires constant attention, or it slips quickly. This means developing a corporate attitude and commitment to safety from all employees."

"The rather hardboiled expression ‘Don’t do dumb shit’ features in the INEOS Compass, which evolved some years back as an attempt to encapsulate the INEOS DNA or culture. It is an amalgam of expressive words and phrases, good and bad, that we like and that we don’t like."

"We have a thirst for challenges that will not go away. Our many CEOs and management teams will make sure of that. But we will never forget that our core business, which drives and funds INEOS, is petrochemicals, unloved in some quarters, maybe, but essential to life as we now know it. And that our core values of Grit, Rigour and Humour will ensure, I hope, that we will always do things well and professionally."

"Grit, Rigour, Humour. It applies equally to our sports ventures. Business doesn’t always go swimmingly. It can be challenging, unpleasant, even dirty. We can’t have people shy away from facing up to the tough times. Grit is an essential quality. Rigour is the opposite of winging it. Lack of rigour doesn’t cut it in INEOS. Do your job fully, and well, and with pride. Prepare thoroughly and if you don’t know the answer to a question say so, but never twice. In my humble opinion the Americans do rigour better than anyone because they exist in such a competitive marketplace. The UK is slipping. And humour simply makes the world go around. Life is short and to be enjoyed. Personally, I struggle if life is too dry. You need to enjoy some banter, and don’t get too hung up on the woke agenda."

"Even from where I sit today I cannot guarantee the success of Oil & Gas and Auto. Only time will tell. But I guarantee that we will apply our abiding principles of Grit, Rigour, Humour to these two potentially enormous businesses for INEOS."