General – Shell
Shell’s Chief Executive Ben van Beurden is preparing to step down next year after nearly a decade at the helm of the giant energy firm, two company sources told Reuters.
During his tenure, Van Beurden oversaw Shell’s biggest acquisition in decades and steered the company through two major downturns and a pivotal move to slash greenhouse emissions – a task which will only grow in importance for his successor.
Shell’s board succession committee, headed by Chairman Andrew Mackenzie, has met several times in recent months to draw up plans for Van Beurden’s departure and interview potential successors to the 64-year-old Dutchman, the sources said.
The Dutchman, who joined Shell in 1983 and became CEO in January 2014, has yet to decide on an exact departure date but is expected to leave next year.
