Harry Roels

Harry Roels

Harry Roels (1948), a Dutch citizen, joined the Royal Dutch/Shell Group in 1971, after completing a masters degree in Physical Chemistry at Leiden university. He lived in Sarawak, Brunei, Scotland,the Netherlands,Turkey and England during various assignments, and travelled extensively worldwide in the course of his work. He was a member of the executive board of Royal Dutch/Shell, 1999-2002. In 2003 he joined RWE AG , a multi-utility conglomerate based in Germany, but with assets worldwide. As CEO, Harry refocused RWE strategically on its core competencies in electricity and gas, creating substantial shareholder value. He also spearheaded a programme of cultural change. As of 2008, Harry concentrates on personal priorities, which include the chairmanship of a charitable foundation with activities in Africa and South East Asia, which he started in 2005. His foundation focuses on improving health and education among the poorest. It also supports, through Ashoka, a number of social entrepeneurs in Asia. Outside the not-for-profit world, Harry continues in some non-executive and advisory roles. Harry is married and has two adult daughters.