Ceri is from Pembrokeshire in southern Wales. She graduated with a BSc. in Geology from Liverpool University, and with a PhD in Structural Geology from The University of Wales in Cardiff, joining Shell in 1990. Ceri has worked as a geoscientist in the UK, Angola, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and the UAE.

From 2009-2017 Ceri held the role of Executive Vice President for Exploration in Shell, drilling of 150 exploration wells per year, a global a multi billion dollar budget and 1500 staff. Most critical was the Health and Safety of all, but especially those in remote operations where Ceri believes in a personal visible presence – real “Boots on the Ground”.

In March 2017, Ceri was appointed as Managing Director, Brunei Shell Petroleum, a vital joint venture for Shell with the Government of Brunei, as well as being the Country Chair for Shell companies in Brunei upholding the highest standards of safety & business integrity. She is accountable for operations with production in excess of 300,000boe/day and 4000 staff.

She is a driving force in shaping the decarbonization journey of Brunei, sitting on the Brunei Climate Change Committee and growing New Energies/Renewables businesses as the Brunei Shell companies, and the nation, diversifies.

Ceri is an active champion of Women in Energy (speaking at WIN events, profiling female Bruneian talent, driving for gender neutral policies, undertaking internal and external mentoring)

In 2014 Ceri was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Heriot-Watt University for services to Geoscience. In 2015 was honoured by a Fellowship at her alma mater, the University of Wales, Cardiff as well as being made a Fellow of the Energy Institute of the UK.

She has also been an active Advisory Board Member of the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All initiative, chaired by the Secretary General of the UN.

Ceri is a passionate nature lover, gardener, grower of medicinal herbs, skier and diver. Her husband, Ajay Shah, is also an energy industry professional.