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

In this episode of Speciality Sessions, Natasha speaks to Thoralf Gliese, Chief Commercial Officer at Omya. 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. 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. 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. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:21 - From Paper Industry to Omya 01:41 - Moving Beyond One Industry 02:24 - Staying Connected to Academia & Science 03:16 - Attracting Young Talent into Chemicals 05:24 - Why Customer Proximity Matters 07:03 - Moving from Technical to Commercial Roles 08:09 - Transferable Skills & Adjacent Sector Hiring 10:54 - How to Successfully Onboard Cross-Industry Talent 12:32 - Omya’s Evolution into Distribution 14:17 - Changing Market Perception & Strategic Focus 17:49 - Innovation & Technical Credibility 19:29 - Innovation During Market Downturns 20:59 - Long-Term Thinking in Difficult Markets 21:33 - Private Ownership & Thinking in Generations 23:01 - Strategic Decision-Making in Private Businesses 25:03 - Leadership During Challenging Markets 25:30 - What Good Leadership Actually Looks Like 26:44 - Why Communication Is Critical in Leadership 27:12 - Career Change, Risk & Leaving Your Comfort Zone 28:29 - Final Reflections on Leadership & Communication