Ben van Beurden

Bernardus Cornelis Adriana Margriet "Ben" van Beurden (born 23 April 1958) is a Dutch businessman who is the CEO of Shell plc. Van Beurden joined Shell in 1983, after graduating with a master's degree in Chemical Engineering from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.[1]

Ben van Beurden
Ben van Beurden in 2015
Born
Bernardus Cornelis Adriana Margriet van Beurden

(1958-04-23) 23 April 1958
Roosendaal, Netherlands
EducationDelft University of Technology
Years active1983–present
TitleCEO, Royal Dutch Shell
TermJanuary 2014–
PredecessorPeter Voser
Spouse(s)Stacey van Beurden
Children4

During his tenure as head of Shell, the company was ordered by a Netherlands court to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030. Van Beurden described the ruling as "unreasonable" and said the company had no intentions to meet the court-ordered climate targets.[2]

In early‑2022, ClientEarth began civil proceedings against van Beurden and 12 other directors of UK‑based Shell plc in an attempt to hold these individuals personally responsible for failing to adequately prepare the company for a transition to carbon neutrality. More specifically ClientEarth asserts that these individuals have a fiduciary duty under the UK Companies Act to operate in accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement.[3]

Career

Van Beurden's career in Shell spans both upstream and downstream businesses. He has held a number of operational and commercial roles including those in Chemicals and LNG. In his 30-year career in Shell, Van Beurden has worked in a number of countries, from his native Netherlands, to Malaysia, United Kingdom and the United States. Before becoming CEO of Shell, Van Beurden was the Director of Shell's Downstream business from January to September 2013.[1] Prior to this, he was the Executive Vice President Chemicals from December 2006 based out of London, when he served on the boards of a number of leading industry associations, including the International Council of Chemical Associations and the European Chemical Industry Council. He has held a number of key roles in the group's Upstream and Downstream businesses, including the post of Vice President Manufacturing Excellence from January 2005.[4]

Van Beurden was an assistant to Shell chairman Phil Watts from 2002-2004, during which time Shell was embroiled in an accounting scandal where it had overstated its oil reserves.[5]

Lauded for his “deep knowledge of the industry and proven executive experience across a range of Shell businesses”, Van Beurden is credited with turning around Shell's struggling chemicals division. From a loss-making enterprise in 2008, the Chemicals business now contributes 5 percent of net earnings.[6] He also worked for a third of his 30-year Shell career in its liquefied natural gas business, which has become a crucial driver of the group's growth.[7]

In 2014, he was paid €24.2 million.[8] In 2018, Van Beurden's compensation was approximately £17.2 million.[9]

During his tenure as head of Shell, the company was ordered by a Netherlands court to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030. Van Beurden described the ruling as "unreasonable" and said the company had no intentions to meet the court-ordered climate targets. At the same time, Shell's profits were rising sharply, the company raised its dividend by almost 40%, and kickstarted share buybacks worth $2 billion.[2]

He is a member of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT),[10] and a board member of International Council of Chemicals Associations and the European Chemical Industry Council.[5]

Personal life

With his wife Stacey, he has three daughters and a son. According to his official bio, he enjoys reading, running and travelling with his family.[1]

References
  1. "Ben van Beurden". Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  2. "Shell boss: we have no plans to change strategy despite emissions ruling". the Guardian. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  3. Gayle, Damien (15 March 2022). "Shell directors sued for 'failing to prepare company for net zero'". The Guardian. London, United Kingdom. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  4. "Board of Directors". Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  5. "Ben van Beurden is a Shell insider who made late rise to the top". Financial Times. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  6. "Shell's new CEO: an inside job". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  7. "Shell chooses Ben van Beurden as chief executive". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  8. Macalister, Terry (12 March 2015). "Shell CEO Ben van Beurden paid €24.2m in 2014". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  9. Jolly, Jasper (14 March 2019). "Shell CEO's pay more than doubles to £17.2m". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  10. Members European Round Table of Industrialists.
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