A senior figure at oil giant Shell (LON: SHEL) has been appointed to the board of offshore drilling contractor Valaris (NYSE: VAL).
As well as sitting on the New York-listed company’s top team, Catherine Hughes will also serve on the board’s environmental, social and governance committee.
Since 2017 Ms Hughes has served as a non-executive director of London-listed supermajor Shell.
That includes as chair of the safety, environment and sustainability committee.
Previously Ms Hughes was executive vice president international at North Sea firm Nexen, a position she held from January until her retirement in April 2013.
There she was responsible for all oil and gas activities including exploration, production, development and project activities outside Canada.
Nexen was acquired by Cnooc in 2013, the Chinese state-owned oil firm’s opening North Sea play.
Ms Hughes joined Nexen in 2009 as VP for operational services, technology and human resources.
Prior to joining the Canadian company, she was VP of oil sands at Husky Oil from 2007 to 2009, and VP exploration and production services from 2005 to 2007.
Ms Hughes started her career with oilfield services giant Schlumberger in 1986, and held key positions in various countries, including France, Italy, Nigeria, the UK and the USA.
She was president of Schlumberger Canada for five years.
Her CV also boasts previously held non-executive director positions at SNC-Lavalin Group, Statoil, now Equinor (OSLO: EQNR), and Precision Drilling.
Chair of the Valaris board, Elizabeth Leykum said: “We are pleased to welcome Catherine to the Valaris Board of Directors. Her extensive industry experience gained from executive management positions held at both leading operators and oilfield service companies will further strengthen our Board.
“The diversity of skills, knowledge and backgrounds of our Board members will continue to help the Company execute on its strategy of being value driven, focused and responsible to drive shareholder value.”
Recommended for you
