Bhavesh V. (Bob) Patel is chief executive officer of LyondellBasell, one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Mr. Patel assumed this position in January 2015 after having served as executive vice president, Olefins and Polyolefins – Europe, Asia and International and previously senior vice president, Olefins and Polyolefins – Americas.

Mr. Patel joined LyondellBasell in March 2010 and as executive vice president successfully led the restructuring of the company’s O&P – Americas and O&P – Europe, Asia and International segments. These businesses established a track record of outperformance relative to their peers through increased efficiency and streamlined operations and Mr. Patel led the development of a strategy that effectively captured the U.S. shale advantage.

As CEO, Mr. Patel has focused on the development and implementation of the next phase of LyondellBasell’s long-term growth strategy. Under his leadership, the company has made strategic acquisitions and opened facilities in the growing Indian and Chinese markets as well as acquired a plastics recycling business in The Netherlands to capitalize on the growing European circular economy. Mr. Patel has also overseen major capacity expansions including the construction of the company’s industry-leading Hyperzone high density polyethylene (HDPE) plant in La Porte, Texas, and the world’s largest propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol (PO/TBA) plant in Channelview, Texas – the largest single investment in the company’s history. Under Mr. Patel’s leadership, in 2018 LyondellBasell was named to Fortune Magazine’s “world’s most admired companies” list for the first time in its history.

Previously, Mr. Patel held several positions at Chevron Corporation and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company for more than 20 years in business management, strategy, planning and transactions, as well as sales and manufacturing roles. Over the course of his career, Mr. Patel has held leadership positions based in the Netherlands, Singapore and the United States.

Mr. Patel is a member of the Business Council, The Business Roundtable and he serves on the boards of the U.S. / India Strategic Partnership Forum, the Greater Houston Partnership and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and he is the current chairman of the American Chemistry Council. Mr. Patel is also on the external advisory council of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University and the dean’s advisory council for the Fox School of Business at Temple University.

Mr. Patel serves on the board of directors of Union Pacific Corporation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from The Ohio State University and he also holds a Master of Business Administration from Temple University.