Shell CFO to step down after seven years in the role

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will conclude his service with the oil giant after more seven years in the role. 

Shell said on Thursday that Simon Henry, who has been with the company for more than 30 years, would be succeeded by Jessica Uhl.

Henry will remain on the Board as CFO until March 9, 2017, and sign the 2016 annual report, after which he will hand over his duties to Uhl. He will remain available to the company and the newly appointed CFO and assist in transition until June 30, 2017, Shell said.

Henry is also a 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.

Regarding his departure from the CFO role, Henry said: “I have been privileged to spend the past 34 years working with great colleagues, in a great company. I wish Jessica every success in the role, and I am confident that she and Shell will deliver a world class investment, in the most responsible and sustainable way.”

Charles Holliday, chairman of Royal Dutch Shell, 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.”

As far as the new CFO is concerned, aside from her CFO role, the company said that Uhl would be an Executive Director of the Company, a member of its Executive Committee, and based in The Netherlands.

Uhl joined Shell in 2004 and 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.

Before joining Shell, Uhl worked for Enron in Houston and Panama from 1997 to 2003 and for Citibank in San Francisco from 1990 to 1996.

Ben van Beurden, Chief Executive of Shell, 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.”