Shell announces new appointments

Royal Dutch Shell P.L.C. announced changes to senior management roles and responsibilities in late May, effective July 1. Its upstream activities was be combined into two businesses instead of three: Upstream Americas and Upstream International. Its downstream operations was expanded to include Trading and Alternative Energy, excluding Wind, which will be part of upstream. Shell’s project delivery, technical services, as well as its upstream and downstream technology capability will now be covered by a new division: Projects & Technology. Corporate functions has been refocused into the portfolios of the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Human Resources & Corporate Officer. Meanwhile, earlier, Shell’s Board said that Linda Cook will resign as executive director of the company on June 1. Media reports said that Cook, who was with Shell for 29 years, was seen as a candidate to replace Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer, who has retired. However, Shell announced that Peter Voser will be the company’s new chief executive beginning July 1. (May 26/27, 2009)