The Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the parent company of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria has announced a new Chairman. He is Andrew Mackenzie, who appointment was announced by the Board of Directors on Thursday.
Mackenzie appointment announced the conclusion of the company’s 2021 Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take effect from May 18, 2021.
He will succeed Chad Holliday billed to step down on May 18 having served as Chair for six years and as a Board Director since September 2010.
A British national, Mackenzie joined Shell’s Board in October 2020, after a distinguished career in the energy, petrochemicals and resources sector, later as Group CEO of BHP from 2013 to 2019.
Said the outgoing Chair, Holliday: “I am delighted to welcome Andrew as my successor. I have nothing but confidence in Shell’s bright future – the challenges of the past year only strengthened my conviction in the Company as I watched colleagues across the business find the strength to sustain vital energy supplies in the most exceptional circumstances.
“Andrew brings a wealth of leadership and sustainability experience, scientific curiosity and commercial acumen that ideally equip him to help Shell navigate the energy transition and deliver on the far-reaching Powering Progress strategy.
“His track record in business performance transformation also means he brings all the skills and rigour needed to guide Shell’s management in all their most significant decisions.”
Responding, Mackenzie said: “It is a privilege to be appointed Chair of this great Company, particularly at such a pivotal time for the industry and wider society. I am honoured to succeed Chad, whose chairmanship of the Board I have much admired and who I know will be warmly remembered.
“I have been delighted already to have played a part in the shaping of the compelling strategy that Shell has recently unveiled.
I believe Shell has an exceptional portfolio of future-facing assets and I look forward to working with Ben van Beurden and the Board to profitably accelerate Shell’s transition into a net-zero emissions energy business that continues to generate substantial value for shareholders, customers and communities alike.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal Dutch Shell plc, Ben van Beurden, said: “Chad’s first-class frontline business experience, tireless commitment to the highest standards and clear vision were all instrumental in making Shell the resilient business we have shown ourselves to be. We thank him for his leadership over the last decade.
“I am looking forward to working with Andrew. We are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic with a clear and distinct strategy that I believe will enable us to seize the opportunities presented by the energy transition. I cannot think of anyone better than Andrew to take this role.”
