Share this article
Behind the Scenes of Lubricant Expo: Building a Global Community Through Events and Collaboration
In this episode of Beyond the Blend, we meet Tina Reading—editor, publisher, grassroots champion, and unapologetic 80s music lover. As Head of Media for the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA) and Editor of Lube Magazine, Tina’s path into lubricants isn’t a typical one—but it’s one shaped by creativity, resilience, and a deep sense of community. From a career that’s moved through airlines, finance, weddings, and local lifestyle media, to life-changing personal challenges, Tina brings with her a rare combination of insight and authenticity.
We go behind the scenes to uncover what really drives Tina—how she’s helping transform perceptions of the industry, and why her story is one of personal reinvention, connection, and unstoppable forward motion.
A Relatively New Face, A Deepening Passion
Tina Reading may still consider herself a newcomer to lubricants, having joined the UKLA three years ago as Head of Media and Editor of Lube Magazine, but her passion for the sector—and the people in it—is anything but superficial. With a background in lifestyle and wedding publishing, she brings a fresh perspective and a deep-rooted editorial expertise into an industry she now calls home.
Metroland, Music, and a Magnetic Pull to Community
Whether it’s launching the lifestyle platform Metroland, supporting Chesham United FC, or setting up a toy bank to support local families during tough times, Tina’s work is grounded in community. “I’m very passionate about people, local enterprise and making things better,” she says—values that quietly but powerfully steer her professional choices.
Resilience Built Through Real Adversity
Tina has broken her neck—twice—and spent significant periods in a wheelchair. Those experiences fundamentally reshaped her views on mobility, inclusivity, and access. Her reflections aren’t just personal—they translate directly into the work she does at UKLA, transforming Lube Magazine into an accessible, multilingual, interactive platform to reflect the diversity of its global audience.
A Quiet Revolution: Changing Perceptions from the Inside Out
Initially skeptical about joining a sector often misunderstood by those outside it, Tina has become one of its proudest ambassadors. “There’s a humility in this industry,” she explains. “People care. They’re doing amazing things around sustainability and inclusion—we just don’t always shout about it.”
From Women in Lubricants to Rising Stars
One of Tina’s signature achievements has been the creation of the Women in Lubricants special issue—originally planned as a short feature but quickly expanded into a full celebratory edition. “I wanted it to be aspirational,” she says. “Something we could take to schools and say, ‘This industry isn’t just for men.’” She’s now working on a new special edition highlighting Rising Stars under 35.
Driving Change Through STEM and Storytelling
Her long-term mission? Getting the lubricants industry into schools, and getting young people into the industry. Tina’s building a STEM Ambassador programme in partnership with STEM UK, School of Thought, and leading industry players to reach students earlier and spark curiosity about careers in lubricants.
Life Lessons: Be Kind, Be Brave, Be You
Tina’s advice to others, drawn from both hardship and hope, is simple: “Listen more. Trust your instincts. And when something doesn’t feel right—walk away. You’ve got to be true to yourself.” That emotional intelligence shines through in her work and in her relationships across the sector.
Lady T, Vinyl Vibes, and a Dash of Duran Duran
Beyond the blend of publishing and lubricants, Tina is known in some circles as “Lady T”—a playful nod to a historic family title she once used as a social experiment. Whether it’s listening to 80s records on her stereogram or reading Tudor history, Tina’s love for culture, character, and context fuels everything she touches.
Summary
In a world where titles, roles, and sectors can too often box people in, Tina Reading stands out as someone who refuses to be categorised. She brings creativity to industry, compassion to leadership, and courage to storytelling. Whether championing inclusivity through accessible publishing, elevating unsung voices in the lubricants world, or dancing to Duran Duran in her living room—Tina embodies what Beyond the Blend is all about: showing the human heartbeat behind the science.
