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Built on Purpose: From Doncaster to Oil Store – Cameron Clarke goes Beyond The Blend.
Not every career in the lubricants industry starts with intent. Some begin on a double decker bus, scrolling job listings, unsure of what comes next.
That is exactly where Cameron Clarke’s journey began.
What followed was not a straight line. It was a mix of life experience, personal challenge,
strong values, and an environment that allowed those things to come together. This
conversation is less about lubricants in isolation and more about what sits behind
performance. Purpose, people, and perspective.
For those building a career in the industry, or simply trying to balance work, ambition, and
family, there is a lot to take from this one.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3odKmvdjclNBiwZeByJNDv?si=d91658b7453b453c
Purpose First, Career Second
From a young age, Cameron had a very clear idea of what mattered. It was not job titles or
status. It was family.
Growing up in a challenging environment, he made a conscious decision to create something different for himself. Strong influences, particularly his granddad, shaped what success looked like. Stability, respect, and long term commitment mattered more than anything else.
Becoming a father at a young age only sharpened that focus. Work became a vehicle to
support something bigger. That clarity is powerful. It removes distraction and provides
direction when things get difficult.
It also changes how you show up. Effort is no longer optional. It becomes part of your
identity.
Finding the Right Environment Matters More Than the Role
Cameron did not set out to work in lubricants. Like many, he tried different roles before
landing in the industry. Travel, roofing, admin work. Nothing quite clicked.
The turning point was not the job title. It was the environment.
Joining Trachem, later Oil Store, gave him something he had not found before. A place where
he could grow, contribute, and see a future. Even starting in an admin role, it became clear
that his strengths were elsewhere.
Rather than forcing a fit, the business adapted. That decision changed everything.
It is a useful reminder. The right environment can unlock potential far quicker than the
perfect job description ever will.
Relationships Drive Growth
Cameron’s move into sales did not come from a formal plan. It came from conversations.
Even in an admin role, he naturally built relationships with customers. There was no script or structured approach. Just genuine interaction. Over time, those conversations turned into
opportunities.
Landing his first major piece of business created a shift. He describes it like scoring a goal.
That sense of achievement, combined with the impact it had on the wider business, gave him
a new level of motivation.
It is a simple but important point. In this industry, growth is rarely driven by technical knowledge alone. It is driven by trust, consistency, and the ability to connect.
Culture Is Not a Buzzword
One of the strongest themes in the conversation is culture.
At Oil Store, there is a clear focus on authenticity. People are encouraged to be themselves,
not to fit into a rigid corporate mould. That shows up in hiring decisions, internal communication, and how the team engages with customers.
Even small things matter. Writing emails in your own voice. Speaking like a person, not a
script.
This approach builds confidence internally and trust externally. Customers are not dealing
with a brand. They are dealing with people.
In an industry that can often feel technical and distant, that human edge becomes a real
differentiator.
Saying Something Real Matters More Than Saying Something Often
There is no shortage of advice on how to create content. Post regularly. Follow structure. Use
frameworks.
Cameron tried that approach and found it did not work for him.
Instead, he made a shift. Write about real experiences. Share what you actually think. Focus
on things you understand first hand.
The result is content that feels natural and relatable. It connects because it is grounded in
reality, not theory.
For commercial professionals, this is worth noting. Buyers are not looking for polished noise.
They are looking for clarity and relevance. Saying something meaningful, even less often,
will always outperform forced consistency.
Sustainability Needs a Practical Lens
Sustainability is a topic that continues to sit high on the agenda, but the reality on the ground is more nuanced.
Cameron highlights a clear gap. While organisations may talk about environmental goals,
those priorities do not always translate into day to day buying decisions. Reliability and
performance still lead.
Where sustainability does become meaningful is through practical application. Extending
product life, improving efficiency, reducing waste.
It is not always about replacing products. Often, it is about using them better.
For the industry, this is an important shift. Progress is more likely to come from incremental
improvements than from chasing ideal end states that are difficult to achieve.
Learning Never Stops
Starting with no technical knowledge could have been a barrier. Instead, it became a starting
point.
Cameron invested in learning, including completing the UKLA certification. Not everything
learned applies directly to daily tasks, but it builds context. It helps connect ideas and
improves decision making over time.
His broader approach to learning is continuous. Audio books, psychology, real world
experience.
This reflects how expertise is built in the lubricants sector. Not through one moment or
qualification, but through ongoing curiosity and application.
AI Will Support, Not Replace
There is a balanced view on AI.
It is recognised as a powerful tool for improving efficiency, handling data, and supporting
decision making. Cameron uses it to validate thinking and explore ideas, not to replace
judgement.
The key distinction is important. AI can support the process, but it cannot replace the
relationship.
In a sector built on trust, conversation, and understanding specific applications, the human
element remains critical. Technology will enhance performance, but it will not remove the
need for people.
Community Creates Resilience
Away from work, football and community play a significant role in Cameron’s life.
Following personal loss and difficult experiences, these communities became a source of support and purpose. They also led to initiatives that have raised significant funds for charity and brought people together.
This sense of community carries into the workplace. It shapes how teams are built and how
people support each other.
There is a clear link here. Strong communities create resilience. In business and in life.
Slow Down to Speed Up
One of the most practical takeaways comes at the end. In a complex industry, it is easy to feel pressure to respond quickly. To have all the answers.
Cameron’s advice is simple. Pause. Listen properly. Take the time to understand the problem.
Then go and find the right answer.
Rushing creates mistakes. Thoughtful responses build trust.
For anyone early in their career, or even experienced professionals, it is a reminder that confidence does not come from knowing everything. It comes from knowing how to
approach a problem.
Summary
This conversation goes far beyond lubricants.
It is about purpose, environment, and people. About building a career around what matters, not just what is available. It shows how authenticity, relationships, and continuous learning
can shape both personal and professional success.
It also highlights something simple but often overlooked. You do not need to have everything
figured out at the start. You just need the right mindset and the right environment to grow.
Support the podcast!
If you enjoyed this conversation and want more insights from across the lubricants supply
chain, make sure you follow and subscribe to Beyond the Blend.
Each episode brings a different perspective, but the common thread is always the same. Real
people, real stories, and real insight from inside the industry.
Follow the podcast, share it with your network, and stay connected to the conversations
shaping the future of lubricants.
Listen now:
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