Financial Times Newspaper front page lead article…
Wednesday May 27 2009
Surprise departure as Shell set for revamp
New Chief tackles issues caused by oil price fall
Head of gas and power steps down from board
By Ed Crooks and John O’Doherty
Royal Dutch Shell is poised to announce a wide-ranging restructuring as its new chief executive starts to tackle the problems caused by the plunge in oil price.
The changes began yesterday with the sudden departure of Linda Cook, head of the gas and power division and a former contender for chief executive, who had left the company “by mutual agreement”, said Shell.
Her division is expected to be merged into the exploration and production business under the restructuring, as part of a drive to cut costs and improve operating efficiency.
She had previously said that she believed gas and power worked better as a separate unit.
Peter Voser, Shell’s former finance chief who is now chief executive designate and takes over from Jeroen van der Veer as chief executive on July 1, has been working on detailed plans to enable the company to cope with lower oil and gas prices.
Shell’s top 200 managers are expected to be briefed on the changes at a two-day meeting in Berlin, starting today.
People familiar with the company said they also expected a drive to cut costs in support functions such as human resources and accounting.
Royaldutchshellplc.com, an independent website used by Shell staff, said yesterday that more than 30 per cent of senior managers were expected to go.
Shell refused to comment on any of the restructuring plans last night.
The fact that Mr Voser, who was investors’ favoured choice as chief executive when he was appointed last year, has been given a mandate by Shell’s board to make far-reaching changes before he is formally in post indicates a determination to address the company’s problems quickly.
Shell’s debt is set to rise sharply this year, albeit from a low base, as the group funds its ambitious investment programme at a time when cash flows are under pressure.
The company also declined to comment on the sudden departure of Ms Cook, who steps down from the board on Monday.
Ms Cookwill forgo a loyalty bonus of more than £800,000 ($1.3m) by leaving, although the payment she receives on departure will offset that loss. The company refused to give details of the payment.
Mr Van der Veer paid tribute to Ms Cook, who joined Shell in Houston in 1980, for her “many important contributions to the success of our company”.
Ms Cook said: “There is a lot to be proud of , in particular with respect to what the Shell team has achieved in global natural gas growth and the foundation w have built for the future.”
Last week, Shell suffered a vote of no confidence from shareholders, who voted down the company’s executive pay plan.
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IMAGE OF FT FRONT PAGE PLUS PAGES 18 & 19 (BE PATIENT IT TAKES EVEN LONGER TO LOAD)
This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.
Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
