Frans Stokman becomes Executive Director of Petrochemicals Europe

On 1 May, Frans Stokman took up the position of Executive Director of Petrochemicals Europe, an industry sector of Cefic.  Frans has extensive experience in the global oil, gas and petrochemical industry. He worked for over 25 years for Shell, from which he resigned before joining Cefic as a fully employed director.

Throughout his career, he has held a broad range of senior management positions including Global Marketing & Sales Manager (Process Oils, Base Oils & Waxes) in London and The Hague, Director of Shell Lubricants Supply Co., Business Manager of the Gas To Liquids contracts on the JV between Shell Global Lubricants and Qatar Petroleum (QP) etc. He has global experience in the fields of chemicals, lubricants, base oils, GTL, gas, (F)LNG and has worked in all regions around the globe besides the EU notably the US, Middle-East and Far-East and lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Frans graduated as a Chemical Engineer and holds an MBA.

Frans is particularly experienced in helping companies or businesses manage change, transition or overcome a crisis. He was appointed Shell Policy & Commercial Manager Earthquake Damages when the Dutch province of Groningen was hit by earthquakes due to gas production. He coordinated and executed the payment of damage claims. He developed and established policies and protocols and acted regularly as the company’s spokesperson in the media. These activities have been handed over to the Dutch State.

Frans Stokman said:

“I am honoured to have been chosen to take over the position of Petrochemicals Europe’s Executive Director. This is an unprecedented time to join Cefic and especially its petrochemicals department. Our industry is playing a crucial role in helping governments, other industrial sectors and communities by supplying products that are essential in daily life and even more so in these times of crisis. Part of my job will be to ensure that the right EU framework is in place for the industry to continue to do so and to facilitate its role in the green recovery. I am convinced that the European petrochemicals industry has a major contribution to make in the transition to a more sustainable economy.”