Podcast
The HC Commodities Podcast
Hosted by Paul Chapman, HC Group · EN
Each day, around the world, we have fascinating one-on-one conversations with our connections in the commodities sector. Our collaborators are uniquely informed, creative and inspirational in their fields. We want to provide our community a seat alongside us, listening in to these conversations in that special way podcasting provides as we tackle topical and people related issues with the leaders and leading minds in our sector. Visit www.hcgroup.global more information on us and our services.
To connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/
66episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Great CapEx Surge with Erikhans Kok
Today00:47:48Summary readyThe world is shifting from asset light and infinitely scalable to asset heavy. Across the globe, trillions of dollars are going into assets. Capital expenditure is on the rise. What is driving this? What sectors are we seeing it in? What are the challenges and bottlenecks companies face in delivering on CapEx programs? And how do new technologies and approaches to talent overcome this? Our guest is Erikans Kok, Senior Partner at McKinsey where he leads their Capital Excellence Practice globally. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryUnearthing Alpha with a Metals Hedge Fund, with Matt Heap
1w ago00:50:24Summary readyToday we return to the subject of hedge funds in commodities, and metals and mining in particular. How have hedge funds evolved with respect to commodities? What do investors and allocators think about with respect to commodities exposure and the types of investments they want to make? How do hedge funds go about a lasting edge in the commodities sector? And then why commodities and why, in particular, metals and mining? Our guest is Matt Heap, founder and CIO of Forth Fund Management, a sector specialist hedge fund dedicated to metals and mining, launching in Switzerland. Matt has had a phenomenal career in metals trading, both in hedge funds at Orion Resource Partners, and then prior to that, at Louis Dreyfus, where he was global head of metals For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryNo Peace, No War and No Flows with Aldo Spanjer
2w ago00:47:16Summary readyThe conflict remains in suspended animation with little concrete progress to support the more optimistic assessments of a return to normality. Commodity markets are on a knife-edge and tanks and strategic supplies are emptying. Aldo Spanjer, Head of Commodity Strategy at BNP Paribas’ Markets 360 outlines the pathways from here. Will oil be at $70 or $200? Why does gas face larger risks in a prolonged disruption? And how to cut through the noise and focus on the signals?? For more on BNP Paribas Markets 360 visit https://globalmarkets.cib.bnpparibas/markets-360/ For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummarySulphurous Times with Meena Chauhan
3w ago00:43:28Summary readySulfur is a lynchpin commodity, connecting the oil and gas industry to food production and much more. Already in a structural supply deficit, now, nearly half the world’s internationally traded sulfur is off the market with the shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz. There is no clear line of sight as to how quickly supply could return with potentially catastrophic consequences for the world. What is sulphur (sulfur), how and where is it produced and what is it used for and why is the world not talking about this? Our guest is Meena Chauhan, Senior Manager for Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid, Analytics and Consulting Services at Argus Media. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
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Sanctions Strait Talk with David Tannebaum
4w ago00:50:46Summary readyThe dark fleet was on the ropes with enforcement risking military boardings after Venezuelan oil sanctions started to be lifted. Then with the attack on Iran, business started booming again as ships and traders navigated the granting of licenses to Russian and Iranian Oil (for a time). Where are oil sanctions right now? What do they mean for traders and banks - especially the cost and risks? What room is there left to forge a deal with Iran like the former JCPOA? Sanctions and Maritime Compliance expert David Tannebaum, Director at Blackstone Compliance joined me in my Houston office yesterday to discuss the latest on sanctions, their role in the Iran conflict and current ceasefire. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryCommodity Trading’s Bumper Q1 with Archie Hunter
4w ago00:38:22Summary readyToday we have Archie Hunter, journalist at Bloomberg who covers commodities, joining the show to get his take on current events, as well as the recent FT Global Commodities Summit, and compare notes on the key trends that we're seeing. How the current volatility is driving trading house earnings and how too much volatility might cause some challenges but certainly is driving continued consolidation in the sector and why good times for them is not good times for our wallets. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryEscalation Impotence with Doomberg
Apr 2901:11:00Summary readyDoomberg returns. The US is mired in a war that it, nor its allies, can afford to escalate. Exposing the fragility of the global economic order, underpinned by delicate energy infrastructure. China, long planning for that fragility, is strengthened and Russia is looking cornered and more dangerous as Ukraine attacks its energy infrastructure. OPEC is shattering. For Doomberg, World War 3 is very much under way and we are in an era of profound change. And maybe AI, the savior of the SP500, wont choose to save us. Doomberg is the largest dedicated energy & finance Substack powered https://newsletter.doomberg.com/ For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryNotes from the FT Global Commodities Summit with Paul Chapman
Apr 2200:40:20Summary readyIn this episode, host of the HC Commodities Podcast, Paul Chapman, shares his notes and reflections from the FT Global Commodities Summit, which he just attended in Lausanne, Switzerland. Drawing on panel discussions, on‑stage debates and informal conversations across the event, Paul explores the themes shaping today’s commodities markets across energy, metals and agriculture. From shifting supply‑chain models to rising geopolitical risk and the growing role of data and technology, the episode reflects on how market participants are adapting to a more fragmented and uncertain global landscape. HC Group was proud to be a Silver Sponsor of the summit, which brought together senior leaders from across the global commodities sector for debate, insight and exchange. AI in Commodity Trading is HC Group's latest report, produced in collaboration with FT Longitude. It explores where AI is having the greatest impact today, and what will determine competitive advantage tomorrow. Download the report here: https://www.hcgroup.global/insights/talent-trends/report-ai-in-commodity-trading-why-data-will-define-the-winners For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryAnnouncements, Events and Q1 Reports
Apr 1500:04:42Summary readyRegister your interest for Bloomberg and HC Group's metals trading event: https://go.bloomberg.com/join/invite/metals-pricing-the-narrative-vs-pricing-the-physical/ Access HC Group’s Q1 Market Review: https://www.hcgroup.global/insights/market-reviews/access-q1-market-review-2026 Register for HC Talent Intelligence's Energy Trading Salary Report: https://www.hcgroup.global/reports For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
SummaryEurope’s Power Trading Outlook with Xavier Veillard
Apr 1400:46:51Summary readyToday, we return to the European energy markets, in particular, power. How has European power demand fared since COVID and Russia's invasion of Ukraine? What has that done to power markets themselves and the energy mix? Just as European power demand was starting to pick back up, has Israel and the US's attack on Iran upended it? And what has all this volatility meant for power traders and European energy traders more broadly? Our guest is Xavier Veillard, Partner at McKinsey & Company and global lead for power trading, to unpack how market volatility is reshaping power trading strategies and the skills traders now require. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global
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