Sir John Jennings, former Chairman of Shell Transport and Trading Company, is remembered as an influential leader during some of the most turbulent periods in Shell’s history. Jennings, who passed away at 87, played a critical role in navigating the multinational through external crises and controversies, earning a reputation for both strategic acumen and a uniquely human approach to corporate leadership.
A Steady Leader Amid Turmoil
Jennings took the helm of Shell Transport and Trading in 1993, overseeing critical operations in the North Sea and Nigeria during a period marked by significant environmental and human rights challenges. Two defining moments of his tenure included:
•The Brent Spar Disposal Controversy (1995): Greenpeace’s opposition to Shell’s plan to dispose of the Brent Spar oil storage buoy in the Atlantic Ocean forced a public relations battle. Although Shell eventually abandoned the disposal plan, the episode marked a turning point in corporate environmental accountability.