Shell global head of shipping and maritime Grahaeme Henderson has been awarded in the UK’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
UK-based Henderson, who has held a number of key industry posts during his career and is well-known for his campaigning on maritime safety, has been given an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the international shipping industry.
Acknowledging the honour Henderson said he feels “immensely proud”. He thanked the many Shell and industry personnel who have “given so much to make international shipping safer and more sustainable, as it serves the needs of society”.
“It’s been my priority that we take good care of our colleagues, families and friends aboard the ships which keep us globally connected - the safety and welfare of our crews is paramount,” Henderson said.
“We’ve made huge strides as an industry in the safety of operations onboard and in counter piracy measures.
“I’m really energised by the focus on decarbonisation and in improving the sustainability of the sector and its impact on our oceans. There remains more to do in all of these areas, but we are making great progress.”
Other maritime names were also awarded honours.
George Rawlinson, who was formerly operations and safety director for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), also becomes an OBE for services to maritime safety.
Also honoured for maritime safety was RNLI coxswain John Stobbart from Cumbria in the north of England, Portico Shipping port keyworker Stephen Williams for his work during the Covid-19 crisis and John McCullough for services to maritime and industrial heritage in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter in Northern Ireland.
