Derek Fairclough

Derek Fairclough is an experienced executive in operational excellence and health, safety, and environment management, currently serving as Vice President of both Operational Excellence and Health Safety & Environment at Westlake since February 2023. Previously, Derek held various senior leadership roles at BASF from July 2009 to March 2020, including Senior Vice President for Environment, Health, Safety and Security North America, as well as for Dispersions and Pigments and Paper Chemicals. Prior experience at Ciba Specialty Chemicals spanned from 1987 to June 2009, featuring leadership positions such as Global Head of Business Line Paper and Managing Director of Technical Operations. Derek began professional career as Plant Manager at Hickson and Welch from 1985 to 1987. Educationally, Derek earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde between 1981 and 1985.