Sven Royall is Pilko’s Managing Director of Transaction Services with over 40 years’ experience in Energy and Chemicals operations and major transactions.  Mr. Royall’s expertise was developed over a 34-year career in Shell’s Chemicals and Natural Gas businesses, during which he retained Pilko on several occasions to advise on important strategic reviews which allows him to appraise Pilko’s services from a client’s perspective, ensuring we maintain our longstanding reputation for thoroughness, clarity, and quality.

As the head of Pilko M&A , Sven has led Operational and EH&S due diligence for buy and sell side clients, establishing scope boundaries and levels of materiality, reducing deal complexity by identifying and quantifying major risks, providing options for risk mitigation, and guiding clients during negotiations.  Under Sven’s supervision, Pilko has assisted clients in post-acquisition implementation and acceleration of value capture and risk management.  Sven’s consulting and advisory work with Pilko clients’ governance bodies has resulted in positive leadership actions to improve organizational performance.

During his career, Sven has worked from London and Asia-Pacific with postings in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore where he developed in-depth experience in international deal-making.  As the Director of the Base Chemicals business, he also worked for two years in Houston. In Malaysia as the commercial director for start-up of the first Gas-to-Liquid (GtL) plant, he developed global markets for a range of ultra-clean transport fuels and specialty chemicals.   Finalizing his career with Shell, Sven was EVP for Chemicals responsible for Strategy, EHS and External Affairs, and also responsible for Commercial Operations, M&A and Ventures.

Sven has worked as a board member for many joint ventures (JVs) in Europe, the Middle East (including the Sadaf JV with SABIC), Asia-Pacific and North America (as Chair of the Catalyst business).

For six years he was chairman of the Infineum additives JV and, with Pilko’s assistance, conducted a strategic review of the business (jointly with ExxonMobil). As lead director, Sven was responsible for several JV divestments, including Basell (jointly with BASF). His wider industry experience has come from the CEFIC Board in Europe as Chair of the Product Stewardship Programme Council during the introduction of REACH and subsequently on the American Chemistry Council Board as Chair of The Responsible Care Committee.

Sven holds a PhD in chemistry from The City University London, and a master’s degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University.