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Meet the new Shell CEO Wael Sawan

As he steps into his new role as Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan discusses the energy transition, and why a strong focus on performance will be vital for Shell.

Meet Shell's CEO, Wael Sawan

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Title: Meet Shell's CEO, Wael Sawan

Duration: 02:09

Description: Wael Sawan takes over as Shell CEO, working to deliver the energy the world needs today while helping to build the energy system of tomorrow.

[Background music plays quietly throughout the film]

Informative Engaging, a Sound of Shell track

[Video footage]

Blurred aerial footage of oil storage tanks displaying the Shell logo.

[Text displays]

How do you feel about taking on the challenge of being CEO of Shell?

[Full screen showing Wael Sawan]

Incredibly excited. But, I have to admit, also sometimes daunted by the…

[Video footage]

Footage of an offshore oil rig, wind turbine, oil storage tanks displaying the Shell pecten and workers in Shell overalls and helmets.

[Wael voice-over]

…huge challenges that are out there. I take comfort in the fact that we do have a strong strategy. We do have brilliant people.

[Video footage]

Blurred footage of a refinery worker using a pulley.

[Text displayed]

What do you think will be the company’s biggest priorities in the near future?

[Video footage]

Footage of Shell workers surveying a refinery, using a pulley, turning a wheel and checking a schematic diagram.

[Wael voice-over]

Clarity of strategy, clarity of intent and prioritising to be able to achieve the outcomes we need to achieve. When we focus as a company, we are unstoppable.

[Full screen showing Wael]

I think, secondly, it's about continuing to be bold, continuing to be innovative, continuing to challenge the paradigms that are out there. 

[Video footage]

Footage of workers discussing 3D computer-aided design models, surveying a refinery, inspecting a balance sheet on an iPad.

[Wael voice-over]

And thirdly, in my mind, it's performance, performance, performance. It's performance, in terms of keeping our people safe, it's performance, in terms of how we drive value in the organisation every single day.

[Full screen showing Wael]

We will earn our right to be able to grow through the energy transition, by the performance we put in.

[Video footage]

Blurred footage of a large group of Shell refinery workers wearing red and yellow overalls and cheering with their arms in the air.

[Text displayed]

What is the best advice you’ve received about your new role?

[Full screen showing Wael]

Come in as if you've never been in the company, which is tough for somebody who's been in the company for 25 years. But I think the advice there is open your mind as to what's possible and don't be defined by what's available.

[Video footage]

Footage of two Shell office workers chatting, Wael greeting a colleague in an office, workers in uniform inspecting machinery at a refinery, and a large group of workers wearing red and yellow overalls and cheering with their arms in the air.

[Wael voice-over]

Secondly, connected to the people of the organisation.

A company is not about the leadership of the company. A company is about the heart and soul of the company. And that's the - in our case - the 80,000 people who make Shell what it is today. It's how I stay connected day in and day out…

[Full screen showing Wael]

…is, I suspect, one of the biggest things that I need to heed as good advice.

[Video footage]

Blurred aerial footage of an oil refinery.

[Text displayed]

Are you optimistic about the energy transition?

[Full screen showing Wael]

Absolutely.

[Video footage]

Aerial footage of an oil refinery, an offshore wind farm and a Shell Recharge electric vehicle charging hub.

[Wael voice-over]

It won't come without challenges - that I recognise. But the opportunity to be able to rewire the entire energy system towards lower carbon, under our watch?

[Full screen showing Wael]

What a fantastic opportunity. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than in this sector, and specifically in this company, at this point in time.

[End board with Shell logo]

#PoweringProgress

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Shell expects to publish its 2024 Energy Transition Strategy on March 14, 2024, which will include an update on Shell’s energy transition strategy and set out Shell’s climate targets and ambitions for the future.

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