LNG giant Shell said that its chief executive officer, Ben van Beurden, would step down at the end of 2022. The firm appointed Wael Sawan as the new CEO.
According to a statement by Shell, Wael’s appointment is effective January 1, 2023, when he will also join Shell’s board of directors.
Shell said Ben van Beurden would continue working as adviser to the board until June 30, 2023, after which he would leave the group.
Ben joined Shell in 1983. He has been Shell CEO since January 1, 2014.
“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,” he said in the statement.
“I have great confidence in Wael as my successor. He is a smart, principled and dynamic leader, who I know will continue to serve Shell with conviction and dedication,” he said.
Sawan is currently Shell’s director integrated gas, renewables and energy solutions, and was previously the upstream director.
He is based in The Hague and has been a member of Shell’s executive committee for three years.
“I’m looking forward to channeling the pioneering spirit and passion of our incredible people to rise to the immense challenges, and grasp the opportunities presented by the energy transition,” Sawan said in the statement.