Shell names Sawan as head of gas and renewables

Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) has appointed Wael Sawan as head of its integrated gas and renewables division, replacing Maarten Wetselaar who will leave the energy company after 25 years.

Sawan currently heads Shell’s oil and gas production, or upstream, division. In his new position he will oversee Shell’s continued expansion into low-carbon and renewable energies as well as the power markets, key pillars in Shell’s strategy to reduce its emissions to net zero by 2050.

Sawan, 47, a Canadian citizen of Lebanese origin, is seen by many as a potential successor to Chief Executive Ben van Beurden along with Huibert Vigeveno, who heads Shell’s refining and chemicals division.

Sawan will be replaced by Zoë Yujnovich, 46, who currently heads conventional oil and gas operations, Shell said in a statement.

Both appointments are effective October 25.

Wetselaar, once himself seen as a candidate to take the top spot in the company, will become the chief executive of Spanish oil company Cepsa (CPF.GQ) starting Jan. 1, 2022, Shell said.