Colin Humphris trained as a chemist and had a long career in BP spanning Materials Research, Business Policy and Strategy, and Business Management. He worked for the UK Government and in Brussels on the promotion of innovation within the chemicals sector and on science programmes in support of policy on environment and health. He represented the World Business Council for Sustainable Development on the WHO Europe Environment and Health Committee. He served for a number of years on the Chemistry and Industry Committee of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). He is an officer of the Union firstly as acting Secretary General and currently as IUPAC Treasurer. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.