Our confirmed 2025 Speakers

Aaron Robinson is Vice President of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – U.S. for International Airlines Group, and is responsible for SAF purchasing, policy, and investments for the group’s carriers (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and Level). While in sustainability at United Airlines, he created the world’s largest corporate customer SAF program, organized the first two airline flights to use 100% SAF, and successfully lobbied California to include SAF in its Low Carbon Fuel Standard. As a result, the airline was recognized as Air Transport World’s Eco-Airline of the Year twice and the highest rated U.S. airline by Carbon Disclosure Project for five years in a row. Aaron began working on aviation sustainability at Northwest Airlines in 2007 as part of the fuel efficiency team, and continued at post-merger Delta Air Lines, where he oversaw compliance with the EU ETS and was part of the airline’s climate change strategy development. He has further experience across aviation in airport operations, financial analysis, operational reliability, and cargo safety. He holds a BA in Economics from Carleton College, an MBA from The University of Texas, and a private pilot license.

Giulia produces weekly assessments for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), after having focused on the coverage of the European biodiesel market for two years, producing prices for benchmark and non-benchmark grades. As part of her role, she works on the analysis of the European biofuels market, including regulatory changes and data management. Prior to joining Argus, Giulia worked with international organisations in Geneva for a year and completed a master’s degree in International Affairs at Middle Tennessee State University.

Guillermo Felipe Rebollo joined the Aviation Policy Unit of DG MOVE in the European Commission last September 2022, where he has been at the core of the leading negotiating team in the trilogue negotiations of ReFuelEU Aviation, giving him detailed experience of the EU legislative process and with the design and implementation of sustainable oriented policies. Now his work will focus on the implementation items. Prior to joining the European Commission, he worked for the European Central Bank in various roles in the Communication of the ECB to the general public as well as in the organisation of high-level meetings and visits of the Board of the ECB. Guillermo holds a Double bachelor’s in business administration and management and in industrial engineering technologies by the University of Deusto, and a master’s in economics focusing in European Law and Economic Analysis by the College of Europe.

“A passion for helping companies build low carbon fuels businesses at scale” I am an accomplished strategy executive operating at the C-suite level who has played a key role in developing and shaping the low-carbon energy strategy of bp, one of the world’s leading energy companies. Expertise in building at scale competitively advantaged new low carbon businesses both organically and inorganically. Years of extensive experience in the low-carbon energy space, covering the full range of renewables, bioenergy, hydrogen, power, and carbon markets, reinforced by an anchor background in oil and gas.

Jeff Ovens is Chief Operating Officer at SAF One, a platform focusing on developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) solutions for the global aviation industry. Leveraging over 25 years in aviation, spanning engineering and commercial roles, approximately half of which has been dedicated to SAF investment and commercialization, Jeff brings valuable experience to SAF One's leadership team. Jeff originated and executed the world’s first Airline investment in SAF, as well as directing successful ultra long haul SAF proving flights on new aircraft . More recently, Jeff originated a $1bn SAF project in the UK, raising private equity and grant funding for development. Jeff's background includes roles at Rolls-Royce Aero Engines in the UK, Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong and Fulcrum BioEnergy in the UK/US. As COO, Jeff is responsible for overall strategy implementation for SAF One and to shape the company toward its goal of being a leader in SAF production facility development and their global deployment.

Louis-Philippe joined Hinicio in 2016. He cumulates five years of international strategy consulting experience at Roland Berger where he managed projects with a focus on growth strategies and restructuring cases (cross industry). He was also in the lead of sustainability and CSR in the Brussels office. In the past Louis worked at Electrawinds during his studies to support them in building business cases for wind and biofuel projects. During his studies as a Commercial Engineer at KULeuven he went on exchange to UDEM in Mexico and did a partial MBA at Peking University in China. Louis-Philippe is a Belgian native and speaks Dutch, English, Spanish and French.

EXPERIENCE: Versatility acquired in the aviation business after 12 years and 4 positions within the Air France KLM Group in various sectors: Key Account Sales: Business Customer Sales, Commercial and Contractual Negotiations, Performance Management; Programme/Network: sizing of the destination network, size of the fleet and aircraft configuration. Industry: industrial maintenance purchasing, supplier strategy design and development. SKILLS: Economic analysis, project management, organizational effectiveness and change management management. Very good interpersonal skills, autonomy, analytical and synthesis skills, ability to advise, lead and work across the board.

Patrick R. Gruber has served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company since 2007. Prior to joining the Company, from 2005 to 2007, Dr. Gruber was President and Chief Executive Officer of Outlast Technologies, Inc. (“Outlast Technologies”), a technology and marketing company primarily serving the textile industry, where he was responsible for all aspects of Outlast Technologies’ business. Previously, Dr. Gruber co-founded NatureWorks LLC (formerly Cargill Dow, LLC) (“NatureWorks”) and served as Vice President, Technology and Operations, and Chief Technology Officer from 1997 to 2005, where he was responsible for all aspects of the business, including project, application and process technology development. From 2007 to May 2012, Dr. Gruber served on the board of directors of Segetis, Inc. From 2007 to January 2012, Dr. Gruber served on the board of directors of Green Harvest Technologies, LLC and from 2007 to 2008, he served on the board of directors of Outlast Technologies. In 2011, Dr. Gruber was awarded the University of Minnesota Outstanding Achievement Award. In 2008, Dr. Gruber was awarded the first ever George Washington Carver Award, recognizing significant contributions by individuals in the field of industrial biotechnology and its application in biological engineering, environmental science, biorefining and bio based products.

Jürgen is a senior professional with 20 years experience in energy transition, power and industrial plant design, strategy development and product commercialisation. His core expertise is around net-zero roadmaps, energy efficiency, and low carbon/green energy sources.

Rahul Malik currently lead the Biofuels and E-Fuel Consulting Study at S&P Global for EMEA Region, as a principal consultant in Oil, Midstream and Downstream department. Being part of S&P Commodity Insights division, Rahul Malik involves in consulting assignments in the Energy sector primarily focusing on due diligence, corporate strategy development and decision making, investment analysis, Decarbonization strategy and market fundamentals analysis. Also, He had years of technology and technical consulting experience in Refining and Petro chemicals downstream Industry with Axens (IFP Group Technologies) & UOP (A Honeywell Company) Technology companies, with an experience of leading downstream projects in 16 different countries. He is a Petroleum engineer by background with an additional master’s degree in Energy Management.

• André is Nuseed’s EU representative, based in Brussels. With more than 15 years of experience, he drives the company’s EU policy advocacy strategy, steering Nuseed Bioenergy Platform and Carinata Programme development in Europe. • Prior to joining Nuseed, André spent +7 years at the EBB-European Biodiesel Board, the association representing European biodiesel & HVO producers. As Head of EU Policy, André led the EBB’s advocacy work, developing common policy positions and working on joint positions with external stakeholders and coalitions. He also represented the industry in EU expert groups and conferences. He focused on the implementation of the post-2020 EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), the Fit-For-55 package (RED III, aviation, maritime, etc.), multiple European Green Deal proposals and trade matters. • Before the EBB, André spent +4 years as a consultant at a public affairs agency in Brussels, advising clients in the energy, environment, and transport sectors, with a strong focus on biofuels issues. Prior to moving to Brussels, André worked for various law firms in Portugal focused on public law and policy.