Shell announces changes to its Executive Committee
Robin Mooldijk (left) and Donny Ching (right). Photo courtesy of Shell

Shell announces changes to its Executive Committee

After 33 years of service with Shell, Harry Brekelmans will step down from his role as Projects & Technology (P&T) director, a position he has held for almost nine years, effective June 30, 2023. Robin Mooldijk, currently executive vice president (EVP), Chemicals & Products, will be appointed P&T director, effective July 1, 2023.

Brekelmans joined Shell in 1990 and has held various leadership positions in Exploration and Production, Internal Audit, and Group Strategy and Planning. From 2011 to 2013, he was country chair for Russia and EVP for Russia and the Caspian region. Before becoming P&T director in late 2014, he was EVP for Upstream International Operated, based in the Netherlands.

Mooldijk began his career with Shell in 1991 in the Koninklijke Shell Laboratory Amsterdam and has held a range of key leadership roles in Chemicals and Refining, Manufacturing and Supply, in the Netherlands, South Africa and the U.S.A. He is currently EVP Chemicals and Products. A Dutch national, he will continue to be based in The Hague, Netherlands, in his new role.

Additionally, effective June 30, 2023, Donny Ching will step down from his role as Legal director, following more than 33 years of service with Shell. Ching has held this position for just over nine years. Philippa Bounds, currently general counsel, Trading & Supply, will be appointed Legal director, effective July 1, 2023.

Ching joined Shell Australia in 1989, moving to Hong Kong and later to London, UK. He was appointed head of Legal for Shell Singapore in 2008, having earlier moved there as associate general counsel for Gas & Power in Asia-Pacific. Prior to becoming Legal director, he was general counsel for Projects & Technology, based in the Netherlands.

Bounds began her career in 1996 in private practice at Shearman & Sterling, Simmons & Simmons. She joined Shell in 2005 and has held key legal roles in Gas and Power, Global Procurement and Information Technology, Integrated Gas and Trading and Supply in The Netherlands, the UK and Singapore. A British national, she is currently general counsel for Shell’s Trading and Supply businesses. In her new role, she will continue to be based in London.

“Harry and Donny have both had long and distinguished careers in Shell, and I wish them all the best for the future,” said Shell CEO Wael Sawan.

“Harry was instrumental in improving project and well delivery in Shell, and in developing Shell’s sustainability and carbon ambitions. He launched the Technology Centre in Bangalore, transformed its equivalent in Amsterdam, and has been a powerful advocate for safety, technology and innovation across the company.

“Donny’s commitment to the highest standards of transparency on ethics and compliance has been outstanding, as has his work on many important legal cases involving Shell. He’s a true champion of our people, of DE&I, and of developing talent across the globe—he has helped to make Shell a truly better place to work.

“I’d like to welcome Robin and Philippa to the Executive Committee. They have important roles to play as we build our new top team to deliver our Powering Progress strategy through providing the energy the world needs, now and in the future, purposefully and profitably.”