Wael Sawan

Position: Managing director and chairman, Qatar Shell Companies

Biography: Wael Sawan has spent most of his career at the UK/Dutch Shell Group, gaining experience in all of Shell’s core business units: exploration and production; gas and power; and downstream. Sawan began his career with Shell in 1997 as an engineer with Petroleum Development Oman.

He was posted to London as a Middle East and North Africa upstream business advisor, then took a break to complete his master’s of business administration (MBA) at the US’ Harvard Business School. He rejoined Shell Gas & Power in the Hague, in the Netherlands, leading gas monetisation projects, before becoming general manager for acquisitions and divestments of Shell’s global retail network in the company’s downstream business.

Sawan was appointed vice-president for commercial, new business development and liquefied natural gas in Qatar in 2008. He was promoted to his current position in April 2012.

Contact Tel: (+974) 4 495 7777