Energy leaders of the future

As part of the Flame Future Leaders framework in Flame conference and the launch of a brand-new Master Class Flame Future Leaders in cooperation with Energy Delta Institute (EDI), we reveal an exclusive interview between the president of EDI, Marcel Kramer, and Thierry Bros, one of the key-speakers of the Flame Conference and the Master Class Flame Future Leaders. We discover what exactly the Flame Future Leaders masterclass will entail, and take a look at Thierry’s view of the industry’s future landscape.

Marcel Kramer spent his entire professional career (over 40 years) in the international oil and gas industry after holding several posts related to energy in international organisations. Among other positions, Marcel was the CEO of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie – the Dutch natural gas infrastructure and transportation company, the CEO of the South Stream offshore pipeline project JV company in Zug, the president of Gas Infrastructure Europe and of the Royal Dutch Gas Association (KVGN). In October 2015 he was appointed President of the Energy Delta Institute. Marcel is a regular visitor, speaker and moderator of the FLAME conference.

Thierry Bros was appointed Senior European Gas and LNG Analyst for Société Générale’s Commodities team in 2010, having joined the group in 2007 as a Senior Financial Analyst to provide recommendations on listed pan-European gas stocks and in-depth research on gas issues. In his previous position as a Senior Oil & Gas expert at the French Ministère de l’Economie des Finances et de l’Industrie, Thierry represented France on oil markets and advised on emergency issues at the International Energy Agency (Paris), the European Commission and the Energy Charter (Brussels). In December 2012, Mr. Bros was appointed as a member of the EU-Russia Gas Advisory Council which provides recommendations on long-term gas cooperation to the Russian Federation Minister of Energy and the European Commissioner for Energy.Thierry is also a regular visitor and speaker of the FLAME conference.

Marcel Kramer | Thierry, you have been involved with the FLAME conference already for several years. What is your experience so far?

Thierry Bros | This is the biggest and best gas conference in Europe. It is very well organized with great speakers. This is where participants can feel the “pulse” of the industry. A decade ago, the mood was bullish with industry leaders convinced that gas consumption was on the rise with higher prices…

Marcel Kramer | Interesting point. Let’s see what this year’s conference brings us. What are, in your point of view, the main developments that are shaping the global energy industry?

Thierry Bros | The industry is facing not one but 5 revolutions (shale oil and gas, renewable, efficiency and energy storage) and needs to fast adapt if it wants to survive to lower demand and lower prices.

Marcel Kramer | Let’s look at the your energy generation and the future of the energy industry. As you know, this year Flame together with EDI launch an exclusive Master Class Flame Future Leaders The main themes covered in the Flame Future Leaders programme are: market developments, new business models and leadership skills. What are the main challenges that, in your view, the future leaders of the industry face in the current environment, focusing on Europe? And how, in your opinion, the Flame Future Leaders master class can help/assist them in their future career development?

Thierry Bros | The “business as usual” strategy is bound to fail. In front of those revolutions and the decarbonisation agenda, innovation is a must. Future Leaders must completely rethink the all energy business. They have the great but difficult task of designing tomorrow energy systems that should be greener, less centralized and more customer orientated. And they have to implement a flexible business model as the future is impossible to forecast…

Marcel Kramer | Could you give a short ‘sneak preview’ of the topic you are going to speak about in the Flame Future Leaders Master Class?

Thierry Bros | I will speak about mitigating risks and how business models can adapt in a world of lower energy demand and lower prices… Gas can be a solution in this energy transition but Future Leaders will also have to explain why to stakeholders. Stay tuned!

Marcel Kramer | Thank you, Thierry, for sharing your insightful thoughts. I am looking forward to meeting you and other speakers of the Flame conference and the Master Class Flame Future Leaders in May in Amsterdam to follow up on this discussion!