Robert Sheldon
Business Manager, Plastics
LONDON METAL EXCHANGE

Robert Sheldon BA (Hons) graduated from SheffieldBusinessSchool, Sheffield Hallam University, UK and KansaiForeignLanguagesUniversity, Osaka, Japan in 1995, where he studied International Business with Japanese. Robert speaks Japanese and worked for over 8 years in the international trade arena handling speciality glass, rubber and plastics products as a trainee trader for Mitsubishi Corporation in Johannesburg and as a trader for Mitsui and Company in London.

Robert joined the LME in January 2004 to support the operational development of the LME’s plastics futures contracts for polypropylene and linear low density polyethylene, launched in May 2005. His role at the LME has been varied incorporating LME Physical Operations and project management responsibilities before becoming Plastics Development Manager in July 2007 and more recently Business Manager for Plastics in March 2008.

Robert has been Secretary of the LME’s Plastics Committee since its inception in 2004. Working closely with the plastics industry and LME membership to develop the contract design and contract specifications, he played a key role in the launch of the global contracts in May 2005 and project managed the launch of the regional contracts more recently in June 2007.

Robert continues to engage with industry on a one to one basis and through speaking opportunities at conferences and seminars to increase awareness and understanding of price risk management and the workings of the LME.