Former oil company head to speak in Hawke’s Bay
The former Executive Chairman of Shell Australia, Dr Roland Williams is to speak at two seminars in Hawke’s Bay next
month.
Dr Williams is a former Global Head of Shell’s international gas and coal business and spent 36 years in the oil and gas
industry. He will speak on modern oil and gas exploration and the future of these products before opening the floor to
questions from the audience.
He is visiting NZ for the Energy Matters speaker series organised by University of Auckland and is being hosted in
Napier by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and in Hastings by the District Council.
Dr Williams is also a former CEO of Shell Australia and a past Non-Executive Director of Origin, a leading Australian
integrated energy company. He is now involved in consulting work in the USA, China, Japan and Australia.
Professor Basil Sharp, who is the Energy Education Trust Chair in Energy & Resource Economics and director of the Energy Centre based in the University of Auckland Business School, will also be
at the presentation. Dr Williams is accompanied by his wife Ms Margaret Jack, former Executive Director Shell, China and
Hong Kong.
Regional Council Chairman Fenton Wilson says “Oil exploration has become an emotive topic over the past couple of years
in Hawke’s Bay. This is an opportunity for the public to hear from a man who has witnessed the exploration for oil and
gas from a corporate perspective.”
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “As the topic of oil and gas exploration in Hawke’s Bay evolves, it is imperative that
the public has access to the most up to date information so that they can make informed decisions. These seminars are
another chance to help the public increase their knowledge of oil and gas exploration.”
The public is invited to attend the seminars which will be held on:
Tuesday August 5 2014 at 10am: Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chamber, 159 Dalton Street, Napier
Tuesday August 5 at 1pm: Ellwood Function Centre, Cnr Ellwood and Otene Roads, Hastings.