AMSTERDAM - Royal Dutch Shell PLC says one of its top executives, Malcolm Brinded "has agreed to step down" as head of its crucial international exploration and production arm as of April 1.
The company did not give any reason for the departure of Brinded, 58, who has been with Shell since 1974. It said he will remain with Shell until April 30. He is being replaced by Andrew Brown, a vice-president for the company in Qatar.
Shell's Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser said Brinded had a "distinguished career ... and has made an important contribution to Shell's success." He added the company's "upstream" division in on track to deliver current growth targets.