The Wall Street Journal: Shell to Name Cook A Managing Director

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE

May 19, 2004

Royal Dutch/Shell Group said on Tuesday it would make Linda Cook, head of Shell Canada, a managing director from Aug. 1 to bolster a board depleted by recent sackings.

Ms. Cook, a veteran of more than 20 years with the company, will take on executive responsibility for gas and power from Malcolm Brinded. This will leave Mr. Brinded free to run the core oil-and-gas division, a task he took on after Walter van de Vijver was fired in March for his part in a scandal over overstated reserves.

Shell said it would seek approval for Ms. Cook's appointment at the annual general shareholders' meeting June 28.

Ms. Cook will join a severely depleted committee of managing directors, the top executive grouping in Shell's twin-holding hierarchy.

Current members are Mr. Brinded, Jeroen van der Veer, chairman of the committee, and Rob Routs, head of refining and marketing and chemicals. Shell is 60% owned by Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., based in The Hague, and 40% by London-based Shell Transport & Trading Co.

Mr. Van de Vijver and two other members of the committee, ex-chairman Philip Watts and Chief Financial Officer Judy Boynton were fired this year after the revelation in January that Shell overstated its proved oil and gas reserves by more than 20%.

Ms. Cook, a U.S. citizen, joined Shell Oil Co. in Houston in 1980. In 2000 she was appointed chief executive for Shell Gas & Power in London. Ms. Cook is also on Boeing Co.'s board.