Three new independent directors join the Board, two of whom will serve on the CEO search committee New Board committee to conduct a strategic review of downstream retail business

Suncor has entered into an agreement with Elliott Investment Management pursuant to which Suncor’s Board of Directors will appoint three new independent directors, two of whom will serve on the CEO search committee. The Board will also form a new committee to oversee a strategic review of Suncor’s downstream retail business. These actions build on Suncor’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety, reliability and operational excellence and to restore Suncor’s industry leadership.

As part of its agreement with Elliott, Suncor has appointed the following three new independent directors to its Board, effective immediately:

• Ian Ashby, former president of BHP Billiton’s Iron Ore Customer Sector Group, who brings extensive global experience in surface mining, including technical and operational expertise;
• Chris Seasons, former president of Devon Canada and partner with ARC Financial Corporation; and
• Jackie Sheppard, former executive vice president, Corporate and Legal Affairs with Talisman Energy.

With these changes, the Suncor Board will temporarily expand to 13 directors, all of whom are independent and five of whom are female. Two existing directors will retire from the Board by year-end.

In addition, Suncor will undertake a strategic review of its downstream retail business with the goal of unlocking shareholder value. With support of external advisors, this review will evaluate and consider a wide range of alternatives, from a potential sale of the business to options to enhance the value of our retail business. A committee of independent directors, led by Board director Russ Girling and including newly appointed directors Chris Seasons and Jackie Sheppard will oversee the review and make a recommendation to the full Board. The Board expects to complete the strategic review in Q4 and will provide an update at that time.

As previously announced, the Board has formed a CEO search committee, led by Board director Eira Thomas and including newly appointed directors Chris Seasons and Jackie Sheppard to oversee the global search to select the company’s next chief executive officer.

“Suncor is committed to the ongoing renewal of its Board of Directors to ensure we maintain diverse and qualified directors who are charged with overseeing the company’s strategy and driving shareholder value,” said Board Chair Michael Wilson. “Ian, Chris and Jackie bring valuable expertise to the Board, and we are confident Suncor shareholders will benefit greatly from their operational and commercial experience. In addition, the Board’s review of the retail business builds on our longstanding commitment to openly consider alternatives to enhance shareholder value and will help ensure the company is well positioned for even greater success and value creation in the future.” 

“The top priority for Suncor’s leadership team is forging ahead with our plans to improve our safety and operating performance,” said Interim chief executive officer Kris Smith. “I look forward to working with the Board, including our new directors, to advance our efforts to drive long-term shareholder value, and to communicating our progress, delivering on our debt reduction and other capital allocation targets and restoring confidence in Suncor.”

“We appreciate the collaborative dialogue we have had with Suncor’s Board and fully support the appointment of three new independent directors who will bring fresh, relevant perspectives into the boardroom, as well as the Board’s commitment to explore strategic options with respect to Suncor’s retail business,” said Elliott Partner John Pike and Portfolio Manager Mike Tomkins. “As a significant investor we look forward to continuing to work constructively with Suncor as it takes important steps to achieve best-in-class safety, improve operations and restore its industry leadership.”