Shell's Downstream Director to Assume CEO Role

AMSTERDAM -- Ben van Beurden will be the next chief executive officer of Royal Dutch Shell plc. He will succeed retiring CEO Peter Voser, effective Jan. 1.

Van Beurden, 55, has been downstream director and a member of Shell's executive committee since January. He joined Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Cos. in 1983 and has held a number of technical and commercial roles in both the upstream and downstream businesses, working in The Netherlands, Africa, Malaysia, United States and most recently, the United Kingdom.

The Dutch national graduated with a master's degree in chemical engineering from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. He is married and has four children.

"I am delighted to announce Ben van Beurden as the next chief executive officer of Royal Dutch Shell," said Shell Chairman Jorma Ollila. "Ben has deep knowledge of the industry and proven executive experience across a range of Shell businesses. Ben will continue to drive and further develop the strategic agenda that we have set out to generate competitive returns for our shareholders."

Van Beurden's selection came after a comprehensive assessment and review of internal and external candidates led by the Board Nomination and Succession Committee, Ollila added.

As CSNews Online reported in early May, Voser will leave Shell at the end of March, marking the end of 29 years with the company. Before his appointment as CEO, he served as chief financial officer and executive director, beginning in 2004.