Session #13 | Building For the Long Term: Thoralf Gliese on Leadership, Innovation & Private Ownership

<p>In this episode of Speciality Sessions, Natasha speaks to Thoralf Gliese, Chief Commercial Officer at Omya.</p><p>With more than 20 years inside one of the world’s leading specialty materials businesses, Thoralf shares his perspective on transferable skills, innovation, leadership, customer intimacy, and why long-term thinking matters more than ever in today’s market environment.</p><p>The conversation explores the evolution of chemical distribution, the value of adjacent sector experience, how innovation creates resilience during downturns, and the differences between privately owned and publicly listed businesses when it comes to decision-making and strategy.</p><p>Thoralf also reflects on his own career journey from the paper industry into specialty materials, the importance of staying connected to academia and science, and why some of the best opportunities come from stepping outside your comfort zone.</p><p><u><strong>Chapters</strong></u></p><p>00:00 - Introduction<br>00:21 - From Paper Industry to Omya<br>01:41 - Moving Beyond One Industry<br>02:24 - Staying Connected to Academia &amp; Science<br>03:16 - Attracting Young Talent into Chemicals<br>05:24 - Why Customer Proximity Matters<br>07:03 - Moving from Technical to Commercial Roles<br>08:09 - Transferable Skills &amp; Adjacent Sector Hiring<br>10:54 - How to Successfully Onboard Cross-Industry Talent<br>12:32 - Omya’s Evolution into Distribution<br>14:17 - Changing Market Perception &amp; Strategic Focus<br>17:49 - Innovation &amp; Technical Credibility<br>19:29 - Innovation During Market Downturns<br>20:59 - Long-Term Thinking in Difficult Markets<br>21:33 - Private Ownership &amp; Thinking in Generations<br>23:01 - Strategic Decision-Making in Private Businesses<br>25:03 - Leadership During Challenging Markets<br>25:30 - What Good Leadership Actually Looks Like<br>26:44 - Why Communication Is Critical in Leadership<br>27:12 - Career Change, Risk &amp; Leaving Your Comfort Zone<br>28:29 - Final Reflections on Leadership &amp; Communication</p>