USA/USMCA: 1-513-257-0831

Europe: +49-40-1822-8837-0

United Kingdom: +44-7555-419033

China: +86-135-0154-9132

Switzerland: +41-31-521-96-79

ASEAN: +65-6830-8479

South America: +49-40-1822-8837-0

ROW: +44-7555-419033

Contact us

Meet The Team

Board of Directors

Ian Edwards

Managing Partner / Chairman
Cincinnati, OH / USA
Ian spent 35 years mainly the oleochemical industry with P&G running its global oleochemical business from 1999 until he retired in 2006. He then co founded Big I Investments with Irwin Heller, a Boston lawyer, to invest in largely clean technology companies. His first VC role was CEO of Twin Rivers Technologies which he sold in 2007 to the Malaysian plantation company Felda. Big I then invested in a number of other clean technology companies including a canola/ soya crushing plant in Canada which they sold their share in to Felda in early 2009

In September 2009 Big I partnered with Patrick Muente to form IP Speciaities in which he remains actively involved

Patrick Münte

Managing Partner / CEO
Hamburg / Germany
Patrick founded IP Specialities in 2009 together with Ian Edwards and Irwin Heller, and now leads the business from Hamburg, Germany. He brought 14 years of oleochemical experience with a major Hamburg-based trading house. His experiences include trading, logistics, risk management and finance. Patrick has lived and worked in Hamburg, Singapore and Cincinnati USA.

David Neub

Managing Partner
Biel / Switzerland

David joined the IPS team in 2020 working from Switzerland. In over 12 years with Procter & Gamble he spent 10 years in their oleochemical business leading the European sales team and being involved in starting the partnership with BSP as the global marketing head for fatty acids. David’s sales experience includes pharmaceuticals and eHealth.

Trading

Matt Schneider

VP Commercial North America
Cincinnati, OH / USA
Matt joined IP Specialities in 2015 in our North American group. Matt is based in Cincinnati and brings extensive experience in strategic sourcing and sales in the chemical industry, with a focus on distribution. He has particular expertise in surfactants and personal care chemicals.

Florencia Cabaut

Trade Specialist Latin & South America / Europe / Hamburg / Germany
Originally from Argentina, Florencia Cabaut brings over 10 years of experience in the agricultural and commodity sectors.
Florencia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Master’s in Shipping, Trade, and Finance from Cass Business School. She joined IPS in 2019.

Peter Healey

VP Global Business Development & MD UK
London / UK
Over 25 years experience in the chemicals industry ranging from oleochemicals to petrochemicals in sales and marketing positions. Having worked in the USA, UK, Spain and Switzerland, Peter brings a global perspective to deliver against specific customer needs. He currently heads up the UK business founded in 2023 post brexit and global business development.

Alexander Daehler

Trade Specialist Europe
Hamburg / Germany
Alexander joined IP Specialities in our Hamburg office in January 2016. He brings years of international trading experience in the food and paper industry to the team. Along with this experience, he has a strong logistic and finance background. His focus in Europe is on selling and growing our business in general.

Gideon Yang

Representative China
Guangzhou / China

Gideon Yang joined IPS in 2010 and is based in Guangzhou China. He has 13 years of working experience in P&G and P&G Chemicals. He has been in charge of oleochemical sales in China for over 20 years.

Order Management

John Gest

VP Finance North America
Cincinnati, OH / USA
John joined IP Specialities in 2011 in our Cincinnati office. Now with over 30 years of experience in oleochemicals and banking he brings that knowledge to bear in his role as VP of Finance and Administration. There he is responsible for key banking and accounting relationships along with the administration of the Cincinnati office. Prior to joining IP Specialities, he held various roles with Henkel-Emery, Cognis and Fifth Third Bank.

Joel Taylor

Order Management / Logistics
Cincinnati, OH / USA

Joel joined IP Specialities in 2022 in our North America group. Joel is based in Cincinnati and brings experience in chemical distribution and logistics. He has experience managing bulk tanker trucks and railcars. His focus will be on managing all NA domestic and overseas shipments.

Corinna Behrens

Order Management
Hamburg / Germany
Corinna is responsible for customer and supplier service as well as logistics administration, based in our Hamburg office. She brings plentiful experience in international trading, importing and exporting a broad range of goods worldwide, with particular focus on the Chinese market.

Cathrin Wich

Order Management
Hamburg / Germany

Cathrin has been part of the IPS team in Hamburg since 2019. A trained shipping agent and logistics is her passion.

Cathrin is responsible for customer and supplier support as well as logistics.

Monica Paredes

Order Management
Hamburg / Germany

Monica Paredes is a Colombian national located in Germany. She is responsible for customer, supplier and forwarder service as well as logistics management in our Hamburg office, with a particular focus on the South American market. She has experience in Sea Freight logistics, transporting, importing and exporting a wide range of goods worldwide

Bee Leng Low

Order Management
Singapore
Based in our Singapore office, Bee Leng comes with considerable previous experience in the palm oil business with Sungai Budi for 22 years, and most recently Louis Dreyfus.

Kristina Voss

Order Management
Biel/Switzerland
Kristina joined IP Specialities in 2025, bringing her expertise from a Master’s degree in International Business Management. Originally from Germany, she now supports the team from Switzerland. She is responsible for customer and supplier services, logistics, and contributes to expanding the company’s presence in Switzerland.