September 21, 2022
A new chief executive officer is slated to lead energy and chemicals firm Shell at the start of 2023 as the firm’s current top executive, Ben van Beurden, prepares to step down from the role at the end of this year. The company announced this month that Wael Sawan will succeed van Beurden on January 1, 2023 and join its board.
“Wael Sawan is an exceptional leader, with all the qualities needed to drive Shell safely and profitably through its next phase of transition and growth. His track record of commercial, operational, and transformational success reflects not only his broad, deep experience and understanding of Shell and the energy sector, but also his strategic clarity,” said Sir Andrew Mackenzie, chair of Shell’s board, in a release.
During his nine-year tenure as CEO, van Beurden oversaw the 2016 acquisition of BG and a $30 billion divestment of non-core assets. He also helped the Shell to create a goal of being a net-zero emissions energy company by 2050 and led the firm through the first years of the pandemic.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to have served Shell for nearly four decades and to lead the company for the past nine years. In my journey from LNG design engineer to CEO, I have been fortunate to work alongside so many talented people from diverse backgrounds – all committed to the company’s goal of providing the world with the essential commodities of modern life,” van Beurden said in a statement. “I am very proud of what we have achieved together.
The outgoing CEO will be retained as an advisor to the board until June 30, 2023.
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