A lex Beard is a British businessman who became one of the world's most powerful commodities traders during his long tenure at Glencore. Often dubbed the "king of oil," he served as the company's global head of oil trading, overseeing a vast and highly profitable operation. A graduate of Oxford with a degree in biochemistry, Beard started his career at BP before joining Glencore in 1995, where he rapidly rose through the ranks.

Beard's wealth was significantly amplified by Glencore's landmark initial public offering in 2011, which turned him and other top executives into billionaires overnight. He was known for his sharp intellect and his ability to navigate the volatile and complex world of global oil markets. After nearly 25 years with the company, he retired from Glencore in 2019. He has since founded his own investment firm, Adaptogen Capital, which focuses on oil and gas assets, allowing him to continue leveraging his deep industry expertise.