Who will replace Peter Voser as CEO of Shell?

City analysts were caught off guard last week by Shell’s announcement that Peter Voser – the company’s chief executive since 2009 – is set to retire next year. With Voser widely credited as one of the key drivers behind Shell’s impressive performance over the past four years, there has been much industry speculation as to who might prove a worthy successor. Interfax polled a number of London-based analysts on the subject of potential candidates, and while the identity of the successful applicant will not be revealed for some time, it seems unlikely Shell will take the risk of recruiting someone from outside the company.

The current favourite, according to one London-based equity analyst who preferred to remain anonymous, is Simon Henry, Shell’s chief financial officer.