Energy giant Shell has announced that Wael Sawan will be its next chief executive, succeeding Ben van Beurden, who has led the company for nine years.
Lebanese-Canadian Sawan has had a 25-year career with Shell and has been a member of its executive committee for three years. Based in The Hague, he is director of Integrated Gas, Renewables and Energy Solutions, having previously been the director of Upstream.
Sawan’s other senior roles at Shell include stints as executive VP of Deepwater and executive VP, Qatar.
Shell’s chair, Sir Andrew Mackenzie, said: “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. He combines these qualities with a passion for people, which enables him to get the best from those around him.
“The outcome of the board’s managed succession process resulted both in the appointment of an outstanding CEO and proved the strength and depth of Shell’s leadership talent. I look forward to working with Wael as we accelerate the delivery of our strategy.”