The FINANCIAL — Royal Dutch Shell plc announces on December 15 that, after more than seven years in the role, Simon Henry will conclude his service as Chief Financial Officer of the company and will be succeeded by Jessica Uhl.
Simon Henry will remain on the Board as CFO until 9 March 2017 and sign the 2016 annual report, after which he will hand over his duties. Simon will then remain available to Jessica and to the Board to assist with transition until 30 June 2017, according to Shell.
Simon Henry has been with Shell for over 30 years and was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the company in May 2009, responsible for strategy, planning and information technology, as well as the company’s financial activities. He is also Regional Executive Director for Asia Pacific with specific oversight of new business development in China. He was Chief Financial Officer for Exploration & Production from 2004 to 2009, and was Head of Group Investor Relations from 2001 to 2004. Prior to these roles, he held various finance posts including Finance Manager of Marketing in Egypt, Controller for the Upstream business in Egypt, Oil Products Finance Adviser for Asia-Pacific, Finance Director for the Mekong Cluster, and General Manager Finance for the South East Asian Retail business.
Charles Holliday, chairman of Royal Dutch Shell plc said “The Board is grateful to Simon for strengthening capital management and the balance sheet such as to allow the acquisition of BG and executing that deal. His leadership in integrating the two companies and in re-orienting our strategy leaves us a financially stronger company. When he leaves our Board, it will be with our very best wishes.”
Simon Henry said “I have been privileged to spend the past 34 years working with great colleagues, in a great company. Together we have made a difference in an industry that really matters to so many people around the world. I wish Jessica every success in the role, and am confident that she and Shell will deliver a world class investment, in the most responsible and sustainable way.”
The Board has appointed Jessica Uhl as Chief Financial Officer with effect from 9 March 2017. Jessica will be an Executive Director of the Company and a member of its Executive Committee, and will be based in The Netherlands.
Jessica, an American citizen, grew up in California and holds a BA in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley (1989) and an MBA from INSEAD (1997).
She joined Shell in 2004 and has held Finance leadership roles, based in Europe and the USA, in Shell’s Upstream, Integrated Gas and Downstream businesses, as well as in Projects & Technology and Corporate headquarters. She is currently Executive Vice President (EVP), Finance for the Integrated Gas business. Previous roles included EVP, Finance for Upstream Americas, Vice President (VP) Finance, Upstream Americas Unconventionals, VP Controller for Upstream and Projects and Technology, VP Finance for the global Lubricants business and Head of External Reporting. Jessica joined Shell in finance and business development supporting the Renewables business.
Prior to joining Shell, Jessica worked for Enron in Houston and Panama (1997-2003) and Citibank in San Francisco (1990-96).
Ben van Beurden, Chief Executive, said “Jessica combines an external perspective with broad Shell experience and is a highly regarded executive with a track record of delivering key business objectives from cost leadership in complex operations to M&A delivery. I am delighted to welcome Jessica to the leadership of our company. I look forward to working with her in assuring its financial success as we execute our strategy to re-shape Shell”.
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