About Us

Chris Groven - Bio

As President of Highfield Energy LLC, Chris works with companies and governmental entities of all sizes to identify sustainable solutions and paths to implementation. He develops and enhances essential business processes including strategy, long-term integrated planning, comprehensive performance management systems and transformation programs.

Chris is a proven leader of change in the energy industry. With over 28 years of experience working in every aspect of the Downstream energy industry, domestically and internationally, and holding a Civil Engineering degree and an MBA, Chris offers a unique business-driven, problem solving perspective. He drives quality improvement in manufacturing and financial disciplines, developing and implementing strategies from refining to market participation, and achieving lasting efficiencies across integrated businesses – always focused on sustainability.

As the Director of Transformation and General Manager of Chicago Area Facilities Operations, Chris defined the real estate strategy for BP Fuels North America and led a $70m NPV real estate project through sanction and execution. He also led 200 BP/Contract staff and managed a $45m annual budget to provide maintenance, operations, security, janitorial and food service for 2000 staff and 1.5 million square feet of office, lab and process space. 

Chris spent 10 years in Finance and was Chief Financial Officer at the BP Whiting Refinery, the largest inland refinery in the US. In this role he was responsible for Planning, Performance, Accounting, Control, and Procurement functions. While in the role, he also provided Financial Management for a multi-billion dollar modernization project and led diagnostic and planning processes to establish a credible 5-year plan to deliver over $100m in cost efficiencies.

Other notable roles include: 

· Sustainable Mobility Project Leader on BP’s Central Strategy team in London 

· Commercial Manager for BP’s US Pipelines & Logistics

· Strategy and Planning Manager for BP’s US Midwest Fuels Value Chain

· Head of Strategic Performance Unit Planning, Performance and Cash Management for BP’s East of Rockies Fuels Value Chain

Chris is also involved in public service and sits on the Board of Directors for Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). In this role Chris provides oversight for the nation’s second-largest public transportation system, serving over eight million residents in the Chicago Metro area with a combined operating budget of $3 billion and approximately $160 billion in assets.

See Chris’ LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-groven-62893941/  for further detail on his background and his full CV.