Honorary Chair
John MacArthur is a distinguished leader in the global energy sector who currently serves as a Visiting Professor of Practice in Net Zero Energy Transition at Imperial College London, where he champions research and education to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy futures. With over three decades of experience in petroleum engineering, sustainability, and climate strategy, he brings unparalleled expertise to guide the College’s mission of advancing research and education in sustainable energy futures.
As Honorary Chair, Mr. MacArthur advises on strategic initiatives, fosters collaborations with industry partners, and champions innovative curricula that equip the next generation of energy economists and policymakers to navigate the complexities of the net-zero transition.
With an MEng in Petroleum Engineering from Imperial College London and a Master’s in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge, John began his career at Shell, advancing through technical and operational roles globally before moving into senior leadership positions, including leading Shell’s research and technology centres in the Netherlands. He advised the CEO and Board of Shell as Vice President of Group Carbon, orchestrating Shell’s climate ambition, carbon management strategies, and implementing low-carbon technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) into global operations. He was instrumental in policy advocacy and international climate frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, and pioneered concepts like the Circular Carbon Economy, demonstrating the economic viability of decarbonisation. economic viability of decarbonisation.
“Sustainable energy is a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity in a transformational, non-linear transition moving at different paces in different places. We need action not argument – and to bring everyone along together“
John MacArthur
Following his tenure at Shell, John joined ADNOC in the UAE as its first Group Climate Change Officer, where he led enterprise-wide sustainability initiatives, including methane reduction, renewables integration, and net-zero roadmaps. His expertise bridges technical innovation and policy, making him a trusted advisor on energy transition strategies in both corporate and academic spheres.
Beyond his corporate and academic roles, Mr. MacArthur is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), a Fellow of the Energy Institute (FEI), and a Founding Chair of the OGCI Climate Investments, a billion-dollar fund.
He has actively mentored startups through programs like the Shell StartUp Engine, advising over a dozen ventures on scalable clean energy solutions. His thought leadership is featured at global forums, including International Energy Week, where he served as Chair, and where he speaks on the technological, economic and societal dimensions of the energy transition.
Mr. MacArthur is dedicated to bridging academia and industry through interdisciplinary dialogue on energy economics, from resource allocation in volatile markets to the fiscal implications of clean hydrogen and electrification. John’s career exemplifies resilience and foresight in an evolving sector. Married with two children, he resides in Haslemere, England, and enjoys hiking and coaching youth in STEM fields.
His guiding philosophy—”Sustainable energy is a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity in a transformational, non-linear transition moving at different paces in different places. We need action not argument – and to bring everyone along together“—continues to inspire stakeholders worldwide.