Strong Source

by Strong Source

Season 1

Episode 14 with Javier Blas

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Javier Blas, a distinguished energy and commodities columnist at Bloomberg and the co-author of the acclaimed book The World for Sale. Javier takes us through his fascinating and unexpected journey into the world of commodity journalism, beginning with his early interest in the Middle East and leading to his extensive coverage of the oil market. Over the years, Javier has become a prominent voice in the field of commodities. During our conversation, he delves into the inspiration behind writing The World for Sale, a book that aims to shed light on the crucial yet often shadowy world of commodity trading—a sector that plays a pivotal role in the global economy.

Episode 13 with Marc Perathoner

Join us in this episode of the StrongSource commodity podcast as we welcome Marc Perathoner, Director of Commodity Risk Management at FrieslandCampina. Marc shares his fascinating career journey from Goldman Sachs to the Chicago Board of Trade, where he gained extensive experience in commodity trading and price risk management. The discussion explores his expertise in financial instruments and market dynamics, as well as his success in creating and implementing commodity price risk management units within multinational companies. Don't miss his insights on managing risk in the dairy industry and how his investment banking background has shaped his approach.

Episode 12 with Edwin van Stipdonk

This week, we welcome Edwin van Stipdonk, the Chief Commercial Officer of Interfood Group, one of the world's leading dairy trading companies. In this episode, Edwin shares his journey from a junior trader to a key business leader in a family-owned company. He provides an in-depth look at the functioning of the dairy market, exploring its complexities and opportunities.

Episode 11 with Tom Kopczynski

For the first time, commodity market wizard, hedge fund manager and legendary cocoa trader Tom Kopczynski, speaks about his trading career at Blenheim, once the biggest commodities hedge fund in the world. In this episode, Tom covers the influence of macroeconomic factors on commodity trading, the rise of algorithmic trading, the future of the cocoa industry, and many more...

Episode 10 with Chris Mahoney

We are thrilled to announce that this Strong Source episode features Chris Mahoney, former CEO of Glencore Agriculture. Chris shares his incredible journey from rowing in the Moscow Olympics to leading Glencore Ag, delving into his strategic insights on commodity trading and the importance of cultivating a strong team. In this episode, you'll hear about: chris's unique entry into the world of commodities, his experiences working with industry legends like Andy Hall, the strategic evolution of Glencore Ag under his leadership, the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Episode 9 with Willem Zimmerman

We're excited to feature Willem Zimmerman, VP of Global Cocoa Trading and Sourcing at Barry Callebaut Group, on this episode of the Strong Source Podcast. With extensive experience at Cargill and Barry Callebaut, Willem offers deep insights into the cocoa industry's challenges and guidance for its future.

Episode 8 with Jan Dieleman

In this episode, we are joined by Jan Dieleman, an industry leader and a great example for aspiring commodity traders. Jan is the President of Cargill Ocean Transportation, based in Geneva, and has managed roles in the U.S. and Europe during his more than 20 years with Cargill. Across the maritime sector, Jan is a respected advocate for sustainable shipping, actively supporting reduced emissions, better vessel environmental performance, safer working conditions, and a more diverse workforce.

Episode 7 with Stephane Bernhard

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Stephane Bernhard to the podcast! With an impressive resume spanning over years of experience in commodities trading. Stephane began his illustrious career as a trader at Louis Dreyfus Company, where he spent 13 years mastering the intricacies of the industry. His leadership journey continued as he ascended to the role of Managing Director for Spain and Portugal. Later, he assumed the position of Managing Director at Invivo Trading before landing his current role as the Global Head of Trading at ETG Commodities. Stephane's deep knowledge of macroeconomics shines through in this podcast episode as he delves into the complexities of the global trading landscape.

Episode 6 with Ben Tacken

On this episode we sit down with Ben Tacken. Ben kicked off his career at Cargill, where he honed his skills over a decade before venturing into trading various commodities at Vattenfall. For the past 10 years, he has served as the Corporate Director of Purchase and Trading at DE Heus Animal Nutrition, showcasing his expertise in strategic procurement and trading operations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a true industry expert.

Episode 5 with Boudewijn van Vliet

On this episode we sit down with Boudewijn van Vliet. Boudewijn's has a fascinating journey in the world of commodities, starting from his early days at Cargill in Amsterdam and Geneva. After six years, he made a significant move to Citi, where he became Head of Freight Trading. Today, Boudewijn serves as a board member and non-executive director of two companies in Geneva, while also leading the charge as the founder of Advanced Plastic Purification International NV (APPI). APPI is revolutionizing plastic waste management with its large-scale sorting and recycling facility, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

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