Ali Karim, Managing Director, The Hazchem Network

Ali Karim is managing director of The Hazchem Network, a chemical storage and transport hub in Rugby. He co-founded the business over three years ago as the technical and safety director.

Prior to founding Hazchem, Ali worked for transport development group, Linde Gas UK, United Transport and Interoute Transport and Inspectorate International in Essex and Saudi Arabia. He also worked as a student lab assistant at ICI in Runcorn.

What is your role at Hazchem Network?

Hazchem’s member companies collect and deliver packaged chemicals to the hub where they are sorted and reloaded for onward delivery. Ali’s key role is to manage the hub’s daily operations and to ensure these are carried out in a safe and efficient manner. Documents have to be checked and chemicals must be segregated in the correct quadrant.

Ali is responsible for making sure employees are well trained, motivated and productive. He regularly liaises with trade bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Department for Transport, the Environment Agency and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and works closely with all the transport companies in the network.

He also regularly lectures on chemical security and the technical aspects of transporting chemicals.

Why did you choose a career in the chemical industry?

A fascination with the periodic table and a growing interest in chemistry at school fuelled Ali’s move into the chemical sector. “Chemistry just seemed to be more interesting than any other subject and I appeared to have an aptitude [for chemistry] and an inquisitive mind, hence a career in chemistry seemed the logical choice,” Ali says.

Apart from a degree in chemistry, Ali has several industry qualifications. Since working in logistics, Ali has gained a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in road haulage operations and also holds an ADR Certificate in the carriage of dangerous goods.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Energy, a chartered fellow of the Institute of Logistics and Transport, a chartered chemist (with the Royal Society of Chemistry) and also a chartered scientist (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry).

What job prospects does the chemical industry offer?

Ali says there are excellent prospects for people not worried about hard work. “Key areas for new entrants are in the chemistry of new energy sources, especially nuclear energy, as we need to seek new sources of fuel. Helium-3 research is another energy source and nanotechnology and hydrogen are other areas to look towards.” He adds that medical chemistry is another area of growth as people try and live longer.

What career advice would you give prospective employees?

Ali’s advice, to those seeking a career in the chemical industry, is to have a positive attitude, work hard and to remain calm when there is a difficult task to overcome. He says: “Be the best you can be and don’t worry about failing from time to time because successful people have the ability to pick themselves up when they fall and try again, learning the lessons that failure taught. Also, remember that volunteering is a sign of leadership and strength.”

He believes a practical approach to chemistry is essential, so applied chemistry is more relevant in the UK than pure chemistry. “The role of the industrial chemist is becoming more and more relevant,” he says.

Beware of your first job, he cautions, as it can steer your career and changing careers mid-life can be difficult.