Royal Dutch Shell in a Changing World: Navigating Uncertainty

Ben van Beurden, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell plc, explains how the oil and gas company continues to adapt its business model so that it can thrive in a lower-carbon energy future. The acquisition of BG Group in February 2016—one of the largest takeovers in UK corporate history—was a key strategic move to strengthen Shell’s liquefied natural gas and deep water businesses. It also left the group better-placed to focus on scale, profitability, and potential growth. Van Beurden highlights some of the other, major strategic questions facing companies like Shell, such as how to weave the strengths of a locally driven approach into the fabric of a global company. Increasingly, for example, understanding and anticipating customer needs mean tailoring retail products and services to different markets.