Professional Summary
Professor John Read has worked in the Bitumen and Sulphur Industry for nearly 40 years, initially for a consultant testing house, then for an Asphalt Supplier and more recently for Shell in various roles. He retired from Shell at the end of 2024 as the Global Head of Technology and General Manager for Shell Specialities (Bitumen and Sulphur) where his principle accountabilities were directly leading a team of more than 100 technical specialists to deliver R&D and technical service to customers around the world as well as serving as a member of the Leadership Teams of the Specialities (Bitumen & Sulphur) business and the Global Commercial Technology organisation (Bitumen, Sulphur, Lubricants and Aviation). John also sat as the Subject Matter Expert on Trade Controls for the Specialities business.Following his retirement from Shell John has set up an Industrial Bitumen manufacturing business, BituCore Inc., based in Texas and his own personal consultancy, Bentley Bitumen Ltd., where he provides expert services on bitumen, asphalt and pavement engineering.

During his career John has delivered more than 150 public presentations at conferences, Industry associations, Universities and Industry training days and has published more than 100 papers, articles and technical brochures, including the internationally renowned Shell Bitumen Handbook (5th and 6th Editions).John has also held 2 terms as the Vice-President of Eurobitume, served as Shell’s Primary Director on the Asphalt Institute (US) for 20 years, sat on the Council of the Institute of Asphalt Technology in the UK and been pavement/asphalt advisor to the Board of NASCAR.