Katy Gibson of Shell Research Ltd Appointed Chair of MCE 18/-/16 Hydraulic Fluids

24 Apr 2026

The BFPA is pleased to announce the new Chair of the Hydraulic Fluids Technical Committee is Katy Gibson of Shell Research Ltd.

Katy Gibson serves as Project Lead for Industrial Lubricants at Shell, responsible for the formulation and development of advanced lubricants for equipment such as compressors and vacuum pumps. She has 15 years of research and development experience across heavy‑duty engine oils, environmentally acceptable lubricants, and broader industrial sectors, providing extensive expertise in formulation design and application-specific performance requirements.

The Hydraulic Fluids Technical Committee is responsible for advancing technical standards and test methods for industrial hydraulic fluids, while also contributing to the development of industry guidance and technical publications. As the lifeblood of hydraulic systems, hydraulic fluids are central to performance, reliability, and sustainability. The committee therefore plays a key role in shaping the future direction of fluid power technologies.

As Chair, Katy aims to continue promoting sustainability within the hydraulic fluids community, strengthen technical guidance for members, and support the ongoing development and direction of industry specifications.

Working with hydraulic fluids has never been more exciting, as sustainability becomes a core design consideration and environmentally acceptable lubricants compete on performance as well as environmental credentials. The BFPA warmly welcome Katy as Chair, and look forward to working with her to achieve her goals.

If you are interested in joining the Hydraulic Fluids Technical Committee, or any of the fluid power committees, please contact us at technical@bfpa.co.uk.