Paul Drechsler CBE is the president of the Society of Chemical Industry. He believes that business is a force for good, and that the voice of business can make a positive difference to economy and society. Paul has worked across the chemical, plastics, food, flavours, industrials, construction, property, retail, distribution and financial services sectors. His career included being CEO of several of ICI’s international businesses and he has also served as a main ICI board director. Paul is an independent director of Schroder and Co Ltd and has served on the boards of London First, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK and Greencore Plc. From 2015 until 2018 he was President of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry). He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Business in the Community. Previously, Paul was chair of Bibby Line Group from 2014 to 2020. He was chair and chief executive at Wates Group from 2006 to 2014, where he was credited with being both a champion for young people in business and a leader in the field of sustainable development. He was chair of the UK National Skills Funding Agency Advisory Board from 2015 to 2017.