Michael Coates – GC Powerlist
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Benelux 2019

Michael Coates

Associate general counsel - upstream | Shell International

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Benelux 2019

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Michael Coates

Associate general counsel - upstream | Shell International

Michael Coates - Benelux 2022

General counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer | Shell

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About

Michael Coates started his current role in April 2017, relocating to Shell’s global headquarters in the Netherlands from London, where he served as Shell’s UK head of legal and associate general counsel of the downstream business between 2013 and 2017. In his current role, he manages legal teams across a range of countries supporting Shell’s global upstream business. Coates joined Shell in 2004 from the London office of Slaughter and May where he practiced as a solicitor, with a focus on corporate finance, securities and M&A. Since joining Shell, he has worked in a number of business and corporate legal roles, including on international energy and M&A projects in Europe, the US, Latin America, Australasia and sub-Saharan Africa. He also served as secretary to the group executive committee and assistant to Shell’s group chief executive officer between 2011 and 2013. Over his career, Coates has played an active role in the business and has served as a director on a range of company boards, including Shell UK Limited (Shell’s principal operating company in the UK) and most recently as non-executive chairman of the Karachaganak joint venture operating in Kazakhstan. In 2016 he was made a fellow of the UK Institute of Directors. A highlight of Coates’ time at Shell has been supporting efforts for in-house legal teams to become more strategic and focused on external advocacy on matters which affect the business and the in-house profession more generally. ‘An example is the promotion of the rule of law, which Shell believes is an important factor in protecting its investments and its people. Shell is actively involved in bodies such as the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law and the International Bar Association, both of which promote and support the rule of law’, explains Coates. He is involved in the management of both organisations and serves on the development board of the Bingham Centre and as an officer of the International Bar Association. Along with other members of Shell’s team, Coates supported aspects of the merger between Shell and BG, which closed in 2016. Coates teaches master of laws students at Queen Mary, University of London, where he also sits on the Steering Committee and Curriculum Review Committee of the Energy Law Institute – something Shell proudly supports.

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