Shell shareholders vote to move to UK, chief executive writes to Rutte

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Shell shareholders have voted to move the company’s headquarters to Britain but the company has written to prime minister Mark Rutte reaffirming its commitment to the Netherlands.

More than 99% of the company’s shareholders voted in favour of the move to London, which, Shell says, will enable it to react more quickly and more flexibly.

The letter, signed by chief executive Ben van Beurden, who is one of just nine members of staff the company says is making the move, states that the departure had been ‘a difficult message’ to announce.

The letter outlines the company’s commitments to the Netherlands and the many projects it remains involved in. In particular, Shell aims to be ‘one of the largest drivers of the energy transition in the Netherlands,’ the letter states.

Shell has been incorporated in the UK with Dutch tax residence and a dual share structure since 2005 but its origins as a dual company date back to 1907 when Koninklijke Olie merged with Shell Transport and Trading.

Shell’s move, announced last month, was described as an ‘unpleasant surprise’ by Dutch ministers at the time.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation