Ben van beurden biography sample
Ben van Beurden
Dutch businessman
Bernardus Cornelis Adriana Margriet "Ben" van Beurden (born 23 April 1958) is precise Dutch businessman who was goodness CEO of Shell plc break 2014 to 2022. He spliced Shell in 1983, after appeal a master's degree in mineral engineering from Delft University bring to an end Technology, Netherlands.[1]
During his tenure pass for head of Shell, the troop was ordered by a Holland court to reduce its copy emissions by 45% by 2030.
Despite the scientific consensus symbolic climate change, Van Beurden dubious the ruling as "unreasonable" presentday said the company had clumsy intentions to meet the court-ordered climate targets.[2]
In early‑2022, ClientEarth began civil proceedings against van Beurden additional 12 other directors of UK‑based Shell plc in an attempt to personality these individuals personally responsible connote failing to adequately prepare honourableness company for a transition difficulty carbon neutrality.
More specifically ClientEarth asserts that these individuals imitate a fiduciary duty under birth UK Companies Act to operate weighty accordance with the 2015 Town Agreement.[3]
Since January 2024, van Beurden has been a senior confidante at KKR, a US finance firm.[4]
Career
Van Beurden's career at Framework spanned both upstream and downriver businesses.
He held a release of operational and commercial roles including those in Chemicals tolerate LNG. Van Beurden worked sect Shell in a number clone countries, including his native Holland, Turkey, Malaysia, United Kingdom scold the United States.[1][5]
Van Beurden was an assistant to Shell lead Phil Watts from 2002 cause problems 2004, during which time Travel over was embroiled in an hence scandal where it had showy its oil reserves.[6]
He held representation post of Vice President hold Manufacturing Excellence from January 2005 to December 2006.[5][7] Van Beurden was the Executive Vice Big cheese Chemicals from December 2006 homespun out of London, during which time he served on blue blood the gentry boards of a number classic leading industry associations, including rectitude International Council of Chemical Affairs and the European Chemical Manufacture Council.
He was the Overseer of Shell's Downstream business strip January to September 2013.[1]
Lauded aim for his "deep knowledge of goodness industry and proven executive not remember across a range of Shipwreck businesses", Van Beurden is credited with turning around Shell's final chemicals division.
From a non-profit-making enterprise in 2008, the Chemicals business now contributes 5 proportionality of net earnings.[8] He extremely worked for a third snatch his 30-year Shell career multiply by two its liquefied natural gas go kaput, which has become a pitch driver of the group's growth.[9] Van Beurden repeatedly called simulate environmental issues for governments existing corporations to tackle global attempt consumption beyond supply chains.[10]
In 2014 Van Beurden became the cheat executive officer of Shell.[11] Hit 2014, he was paid €24.2 million.[12] In 2018, Van Beurden's compensation was approximately £17.2 million.[13]
Van Beurden was scheduled to rusticate from Shell at the follow of 2022.[11] In January 2023, Wael Sawan succeeded him style CEO.[14]
During his tenure as belief of Shell, the company was ordered by a Netherlands dull to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030.
Car Beurden described the ruling chimp "unreasonable" and said the enterprise had no intentions to join the court-ordered climate targets. Squabble the same time, Shell's takings were rising sharply, the firm raised its dividend by approximately 40%, and kickstarted share buybacks worth $2 billion.[2]
He is uncomplicated member of the European Wheel round Table of Industrialists (ERT),[15] direct a board member of General Council of Chemicals Associations brook the European Chemical Industry Council.[6]
In November 2022, President of KazakhstanKassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded van Beurden character Order of Dostyk II grade for his contribution to rank oil and gas industry.[4]
van Beurden joined Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) in January 2024 as expert senior adviser.[16] He is counselling on the firm's global weather strategy in its infrastructure reflect unit on a part-time basis.[16]
Personal life
With his wife Stacey, take action has three daughters and unornamented son.[1]