Two years on from the Brent Spar incident, and amid continuing
negative media coverage over its environmental policies, Shell UK has
decided to appoint a dedicated corporate affairs director.
The remit of the oil giant’s current corporate affairs director, Alan
Goldsmith, covers finance and human resources as well as the top PR
role.
But from January, his successor John Mills will concentrate solely on
corporate affairs. Managers of eight public affairs departments,
including media and communications manager Fran Morrison, will all
report to him.
Goldsmith’s predecessor, John Wybrew, had the same responsibilities as
Mills.
’Corporate affairs is such an important area for us,’ said a Shell
spokeswoman.
’We felt we had to have a director with sole responsibility for it.’
Goldsmith is to take charge of finance services for the newly-formed
Shell European Oil Products organisation.
Mills has been general manager, trading, supply and distribution for
Shell UK’s Downstream oil products division for two years. This involved
managing Shell’s retail interests in the UK. He was also involved in
putting together the deal which saw Shell buying the UK marketing
interests of Mobil.
Agency Charles Barker is currently conducting an image audit for Shell
which will dovetail with a planned advertising campaign for all North
Sea oil and gas producers, under the aegis of the UK Offshore Operators
Association.
