Insights
Four Emerging Talent Themes Across Commodity Trading
We examine how commodity trading organisations are evolving and where talent priorities are heading next.
Diversity Champion: Novera Khan, Founder and CEO of EmBER Advisory LLC and co-founder of HC Group’s Thought Partners
Commodities Diversity Champion
Talent Insights
Explore HC Group's latest talent insights on the global commodities industry
Explore our original talent trends and data analysis and quarterly Market Reviews that reveal the hiring patterns and key People Moves in the global commodities sector.
Listen to the latest episodes of the HC Commodities Podcast; read our exclusive interviews with Commodities Leaders about their strategies.
Discover our award-nominated series, Commodities Diversity Champion, where senior professionals from diverse backgrounds share their career challenges, solutions, and advice for aspiring professionals.
Fresh Analysis, Data and Whitepapers
Insights
Record Performance in Oil Trading is Creating a Reward Problem
We examine the 2026 oil trading cycle, which is testing compensation models in ways many firms were not designed for.
Insights
Japan Power Trading: Opportunity Is Growing Faster Than Capability
We examine Japan’s power shift and the talent gap shaping commercial success in a complex market.
Insights
Whitepaper: Commodity Trading HR - Navigating the Talent Maze
In this whitepaper, we explore how HR leaders in trading navigate bonus pressure, retention and transformation.
Insights
Whitepaper: AI in Commodity Trading - From Competitive Edge to Commercial Reality
We examine where AI is delivering value in commodity trading, and what is limiting its ability to scale.
Insights
Report: AI in Commodity Trading - Why Data Will Define the Winners
Our survey of trading leaders explores AI adoption in commodity trading and pathways to delivering value.
Insights
HC Talent Intelligence: The Access Constraint - Competing For Supply In Metals
We examine why access to supply, not trading exposure, is becoming the defining source of advantage in metals markets.
Insights
HC Talent Intelligence: 2026 Outlook - Compensation Trends in Energy Trading
As 2026 unfolds, we examine early signals of evolving compensation structures and reflect on changes seen in 2025.
Insights
HC Talent Intelligence: Commodities Trading Talent in 2026
We examine the shifts that are reshaping competitive dynamics in commodity trading in 2026.
Insights
Horizon Scanning: Commodities Talent in 2026
Explore the next trends that will shape energy and commodities talent markets in 2026.
Insights
HC Talent Intelligence: Hiring for Difference - Smarter Strategies for a More Competitive Workforce
We examine the growing importance of equity, diversity and inclusion in commodity trading.
Insights
Commodity Trading Talent Strategies: Overcoming Hiring Challenges in Global Markets
Explore the future of commodity trading talent: skills in demand, market shifts, and solutions for building strong teams
Insights
Whitepaper: Fixing the Experience Gap in Physical Oil Trading
In this whitepaper, we explore how to bridge the experience gap in physical oil trading.
Insights
HC Talent Intelligence: The Retention Equation - Why People Leave, and What Organisations Can Do About it
We examine how the biggest retention risk in commodity trading right now isn’t competition. It’s complacency.
Insights
HC Talent Intelligence: How the UAE and Singapore Are Redefining Support Function Value
We examine how in the UAE and Singapore, support functions have stepped out of the background and onto the trading floor
Latest HC Commodities Podcasts
Podcast
The Coming El Niño with Michael Ferrari
Our guest is Michael Ferrari, head of research at Moby, an AI native investment platform targeted to retail investors.
Podcast
Real-Ekonomik: The Iran War's Longevity with Nick Kumleben
Our guest is Nick Kumleben, Director at Greenmantle, the geopolitical risk and strategy consultancy.
Podcast
De-Dollarization, Debasement & Diversification: Precious Metals with Nicky Shiels
Our guest is Nicky Shiels, Head of Research and Strategy at MKS PAMP, a global precious metals trading house.
Podcast
Data Centers Aren’t the Bubble With Eugene McGrane
Our guest is Eugene McGrane, Executive Managing Director at Cushman Wakefield.
Podcast
Why Is Oil So Cheap? With David Wech
Our guest is David Wech, Chief Economist at Vortexa, the energy and shipping data and analytics firm.
Podcast
Digital Assets and the Blockchain Renaissance with Joe Miscioscia
Our guest is Joe Miscioscia, Founder and CEO of the Joseph Anthony Group.
Podcast
The Great CapEx Surge with Erikhans Kok
Our guest is Erikhans Kok, Senior Partner at McKinsey, where he leads the firm’s Capital Excellence Practice globally.
Podcast
Unearthing Alpha with a Metals Hedge Fund, with Matt Heap
Our guest is Matt Heap, founder and CIO of Forth Fund Management, a hedge fund dedicated to metals and mining.
Podcast
No Peace, No War and No Flows with Aldo Spanjer
Our guest is Aldo Spanjer, Head of Commodity Strategy at BNP Paribas Markets 360
Podcast
Sulphurous Times with Meena Chauhan
Our guest is Meena Chauhan, Research Manager at Argus Consulting Services.
Podcast
Commodity Trading’s Bumper Q1, with Archie Hunter
Our guest is Archie Hunter, Commodities Trading Reporter at Bloomberg.
Podcast
Escalation Impotence with Doomberg
Our guest is Doomberg, the largest dedicated energy and finance Substack.
Podcast
Notes from the FT Global Commodities Summit with Paul Chapman
Paul Chapman shares his reflections from the FT Global Commodities Summit, which he attended in Lausanne.
Podcast
Europe’s Power Trading Outlook with Xavier Veillard
Our guest is Xavier Veillard, a Partner at McKinsey and their lead for power trading.
Podcast
Tungsten with William Parry-Jones
Our guest is William Parry-Jones, founder of Wolfram Advisory, a tungsten and critical minerals consultancy.
Latest Leadership Thoughts
Leadership Thoughts
Erikhans Kok: CapEx Surge, Talent Challenge
Erikhans Kok, Senior Partner at McKinsey, discusses the global CapEx surge and talent needed to deliver new projects.
Leadership Thoughts
Paul Chapman: HALO Talent
The Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence (HALO) sector could be a catalyst for new generation of talent, argues Paul Chapman.
Leadership Thoughts
European Energy Trading Volatility: The Hybrid Talent Pivot
Dan Cordell explores the attraction of hybrid skillsets in an increasingly volatile European Energy trading market.
Leadership Thoughts
Mimi Chahal: UAE Talent Market During Uncertainty
Head of Talent Intelligence Mimi Chahal examines how geopolitical risk is reshaping UAE hiring and localisation.
Leadership Thoughts
Paul Chapman: The Roiling Storm
The conflict with Iran has laid bare the fragility of global commodity supply chains, argues HC Group’s Paul Chapman.
Leadership Thoughts
Mimi Chahal: How Energy Trading Pay Is Being Rewritten
Head of Talent Intelligence, Mimi Chahal, shares her insights on the rising strategic value of support functions.
Leadership Thoughts
The Other 364 Days: Supporting Working Mothers in Commodities, Beyond International Women’s Day
Mimi Chahal on why maternity remains an inflection point in commodity trading, and how firms can retain female talent.
Leadership Thoughts
Paul Chapman: Calm Before the Storm?
Commodity markets could face a turbulent 2026 - with opportunities for talent, writes HC Group’s Paul Chapman.
Leadership Thoughts
Mimi Chahal: Capability Defines Value in the Modern Trading Organisation
Head of Talent Intelligence, Mimi Chahal, shares her insights on the rising strategic value of support functions.
Leadership Thoughts
Paul Chapman: The USA - Everything, Everywhere and All Over the Place
The Trump administration's policies are driving a dynamic talent market in the U.S, reflects HC Group's Paul Chapman.
Leadership Thoughts
Paul Chapman: Why the Road to the Future is Metalled
At the heart of the modern commodities talent ecosystem is metals - reflects HC Group's Managing Partner, Paul Chapman.
Leadership Thoughts
Damian Stewart: Navigating Complexity and Competition
HC Group's Managing Partner, Damian Stewart, highlights the strategic role of pay in today’s trading landscape.
Leadership Thoughts
Paul Chapman: Insights from the FT’s Commodities Global Summit 2025
HC Group's Managing Partner, Paul Chapman, reflects on key themes from the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne.
Leadership Thoughts
Mimi Chahal: New Commodities Trading Skillsets
HC Talent Intelligence's Director, Mimi Chahal, shares her insights on the changing skills needed by commodity traders.
Leadership Thoughts
Paul Chapman: Is the 'Hiring Season' Over in Commodities?
HC Group's Managing Partner, Paul Chapman, reflects on changing hiring seasonality within the commodities sector.
