Meet our people

Valentina Andreeva, Senior Environmental Specialist, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (SEIC)

After graduating from the Far East State University in Vladivostok, I stayed on to work as a marine biologist and lecturer. I joined SEIC in 1998. The 15th anniversary of SEIC this year celebrated the amazing achievements of the Sakhalin II project and I’m proud to have been involved in the environmental work that has contributed to these.

Isa Arslanoski, Site Infrastructure and Village HSSE Advisor

In 24 years in the safety industry – 15 with Shell - I have been involved in onshore and offshore construction projects, the laying of pipelines, and drilling operations around the world. Pearl GTL is by far the largest and most complex project I have experienced.

Igor Chasnyk, Supervisor Storage, Loading and Common Facilities (LNG plant)

I have worked for Sakhalin Energy Investment Company for 12 years. In 2000 I became the first LNG (liquefied natural gas) process engineer on the Sakhalin II project, and in the whole of Russia. In my current position I am gaining operational experience to go with my technical knowledge.

Wendel Broere, Press Officer

After 10 years as a journalist I joined Shell in 2006 from Reuters news agency. I am now a spokesman with Shell’s Global Media Relations Team in The Hague, the Netherlands, a job that has taken me to fascinating places and events such as Sakhalin Island in Russia’s far east and the Shell Eco-marathon.

Andy Brown, Qatar Shell Country Chairman and Managing Director, Pearl GTL

I have been with Shell for 25 years, in seven countries - for the last five years in Qatar, where we have grown the business from scratch. Now, with over 40,000 construction workers, we are developing one of the largest projects in the world, Pearl GTL, to turn gas into clean liquid fuels and products.

Vera Surzhenko, Communications Advisor/Media Relations

In 2008 I moved from being an oil and gas journalist to join the Shell media relations team in Russia. The media clearly have a strong influence on public opinion and I find helping to manage Shell’s relationship with them a fascinating job.

Barbara Blakely, Global Head of CO2 Communications

After a career in diplomacy I joined Shell in 2001 as Director of External Affairs in Mexico and Sustainable Development Manager for North Latin America. In 2006 I became Communications Vice President for Renewables, Hydrogen, CO₂ and Power. In 2008, I took up my current position. I am married with one young son.

Melanie Giles, Special Projects Advisor

Five years ago I joined Shell in the Netherlands, later moving into group communications to work with the global web team, help manage the group intranet site, and research new web technologies. I enjoy my current role in internal communications immensely as I work on varied projects, anything from health-related issues to CO₂. 

Claus Otto, Programme Manager Exploratory Research and CO2 Solutions

Before joining Shell in 2007 I worked for 15 years in Australia on exploration, water management and CO₂ solutions. I am part of a team at Shell Exploration & Production Technology in Rijswijk, the Netherlands working on carbon dioxide (CO2) storage demonstration projects that will help us develop CO₂ capture and storage technology. My motto is “Learn by doing!”

Carolina Botella Franco, Biotechnology Researcher

I am a research scientist in the Biodomain Innovation Department in Thornton, UK - I joined Shell Global Solutions after my PhD. I help research and develop next-generation biofuels, a very exciting and challenging area which could make a real difference in the future of sustainable transport fuels. I am proud to be a part of this.

Jeremy Shears, Regional Manager for the Biodomain, Shell Global Solutions

I am currently working to develop next-generation biofuels at the Shell Technology Centre, Thornton, UK. These offer potential in helping to meet global demand for transport fuels while helping to limit the rise in CO₂ emissions - and there are many exciting technical challenges to solve.

David Hone, Shell Climate Change Advisor

I joined Shell in Australia over 30 years ago I have worked as a refinery technologist, in oil and freight trading and more recently as climate change adviser. My early career has given me the skills and insights needed to help Shell face what is the thorniest and most challenging issue that has come along in our 100 years – climate change.

Alexander Sandy Nairn, Head of Liquid Processing Unit

Over nearly three decades at Shell I have held a number of roles from project engineer to my current position. Pearl GTL has been the largest and most rewarding challenge of the seven major projects I have worked on. As projects continue to increase in size and complexity I can only wonder what will be next.