LONDON – Shell’s new boss, who until then ran activities related to renewable energy, is a pure product of the group that will have the tough task of spearheading the hydrocarbon giant’s energy transition while preserving its profits.

Wael Sawan, who will take office on January 1, was previously the director for systems related to gas activities and renewable energy.

He notably oversaw the acquisition of an American nuclear energy platform, Savion, and won wind energy licenses at auctions in the United States, Europe and Asia, his biography explains on the Shell website.

Wael Sawan, 48, with dual Lebanese-Canadian citizenship, was born in Beirut and grew up in Dubai before studying engineering at McGill University, Canada, and business administration at Harvard, USA.

He rose through the ranks in a 25-year career at Shell, leading the exploration and production arm and before that the deep-water offshore mining arm, a role that has taken him to the United States, Brazil, Nigeria or even Malaysia.

Previously, the discreet man, who has little presence in the media, managed Shell in Qatar, among other things.

He served on the Group’s Board of Directors for three years. He succeeds Dutchman Ben van Beurden, who is stepping down at the end of 2022, leaving a company sitting on mountains of profits thanks to the hydrocarbon boost.

When the company has published a transition plan to become carbon neutral by 2050, it is regularly criticized for continuing to produce hydrocarbons and thus its CO2 emissions.

Andrew Mackenzie, Shell Chairman, described Mr Sawan as “an outstanding leader” with “all the qualities” needed to lead the group, praising his “business, operational and transformational success” and “the clarity of his strategic vision .

He adds that the new CEO has a “passion for people that allows him to bring out the best in himself”.

Mr Sawan said he was “honored” by his appointment and pledged that the group will be “disciplined and focused on delivering value” as it works to “create the reliable, affordable and clean energy that the… world needs’, echoing one of Shell’s mantras .