Richard Oblath
Executive ChairmanH2Transition Capital LLP and non-executive director Boson Energy SA
An insightful, resilient, yet engaging and caring Non-Executive Director with 40 years of senior executive industrial experience bringing a wealth of oversight expertise across strategy and scenario planning, M&A, risk, transformational change, talent identification and development.
In addition, has experience of in-country roles in Europe, Asia and USA with business and M&A experience stretching across the Middle East, Africa and South America thus a deep understanding of the market and regulatory environments of each and the different approach required to meet the cultural differences.
Post his retirement from Royal Dutch Shell, Richard has built a portfolio of global advisory positions in the Downstream Oil, Chemicals and other industries focusing on corporate transformations ahead of the Energy Transition. In addition he is the Executive Chairman and General Partner of a $350mln global private equity fund focused on the hydrogen value chain (H2Transition Capital LLP).
In his last London based VP role, Richard oversaw and led many of Shell Downstream’s more complex and/or larger M&A activities. He also co-led Shell Chemicals 2050 strategic review resulting in the RDS Board decision to make Chemicals a growth engine for the company.
Non Executive Experience
Non-Executive Director and member of the audit committee, Boson Energy S.A.
. Waste to energy and waste to hydrogen company
Trustee and Chair London Chamber Orchestra: 2018 to 2021
Oldest chamber orchestra in the UK
• Participating in strategy development beyond the orchestra’s centenary season in 2020/2021
• Influencing in strengthening the funding base for the future including a move to a new home
Non-Executive Director Vivo Energy 2014 – 2017
Vivo Energy is the leading fuel retail business in 15 African countries
• Guided the Executive team on HSE procedures which reduced road transport fatalities to zero
• Participated in and contributed to consensus building on the Board’s investment decisions enabling a 10% compound growth in annual earnings
Non-Executive Director Shell Vivo Lubricants 2014 - 2017
Leading lubricant manufacturer and distributor in 15 African Countries
• Catalyst on the Board to drive a business restructuring which reduced non-feed stock unit costs by 25%
Non-Executive Director at three separate companies for Shell Oil 2010 - 2013
Equilon Enterprises LLC
Operates 5 refineries, 1000’s of Retail Stations, pipelines and B2B offerings of petroleum products
Shell Oil Products Company LLC
Marketer and Distributor of crude oil based hydrocarbon products for the USA
Pennzoil-Quaker State Company
The North American production and sales leader in lubricants for automotive, commercial, and industry sectors
Responsible for the oversight of the companies’ accounts, stakeholder and external affairs management, talent management across the businesses.
• Provided risk management and reputation oversight for companies with over $80b worth of equity
