Shell in brief
- Rank: #8 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #1 of 6 in Energy & Utilities.
- WCRC Power Score: 70.56 out of 100.
- Founded: 1897, by Marcus Samuel and Samuel Samuel (Shell Transport and Trading); merged with Royal Dutch in 1907.
- Owner: Shell plc, London, England.
- Leadership: Wael Sawan, Chief Executive Officer.
- Latest revenue: $266.9bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, -6.1%), group revenue of Shell plc, as per company filings.
What makes Shell powerful
Shell is one of the world's largest energy brands, with a yellow pecten recognised on forecourts in many countries. In 2025 it reported revenue of US$266.9 billion and adjusted earnings of US$18.5 billion, despite lower oil and gas prices than the year before.
Under chief executive Wael Sawan, Shell has focused on performance and cash returns. It concentrates capital on its strongest businesses, especially integrated gas and LNG, and on upstream assets that earn high returns. That discipline has funded at least US$3 billion of buybacks every quarter for 17 consecutive quarters. Sawan described 2025 as a year of accelerated momentum with strong operational and financial performance. For investors and governments seeking reliable energy supply, Shell's scale in LNG trading and its global retail footprint give it considerable influence.
Shell launched its 17th consecutive quarterly share buyback of at least US$3 billion in February 2026.
Why Shell ranks #8
Shell ranks 8th with a WCRC Power Score of 70.56, just behind GSK and ahead of the BBC. Positioning and recall (84) and digital and financial strength (82) are among the best in the ranking, reflecting a globally recognised pecten and US$266.9 billion of revenue. Trust (58) and sustainability and governance (56) hold it back, as its slower energy transition keeps it at odds with climate campaigners and some investors.
The Achilles' heel
Shell's profits rise and fall with commodity prices: adjusted earnings fell about 22% in 2025 as prices eased. Its decision to slow some low-carbon spending in favour of oil and gas returns keeps it in conflict with climate campaigners and parts of the investor base. Persistent talk that its shares are valued below US peers also fuels pressure over its London listing.
The 2026 story
Shell published its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on 5 February 2026. Revenue was US$266.9 billion, down from US$284.3 billion in 2024, and adjusted earnings fell to US$18.5 billion from US$23.7 billion. Income attributable to shareholders was US$17.8 billion. Despite lower prices, Shell announced a further US$3.5 billion buyback, its 17th consecutive quarter of at least US$3 billion, and raised its dividend. Wael Sawan remains chief executive.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Shell in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Shell ranks #8 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 70.56 out of 100.
What makes Shell powerful?
Scale in LNG and trading plus a vast retail forecourt network generate the cash to fund steady buybacks, with at least US$3 billion returned every quarter for over four years.
What is Shell's revenue?
$266.9bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, -6.1%), group revenue of Shell plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Shell?
Shell was founded in 1897 by Marcus Samuel and Samuel Samuel (Shell Transport and Trading); merged with Royal Dutch in 1907. It is owned by Shell plc and based in London, England.
Who leads Shell?
Wael Sawan, Chief Executive Officer.
What is Shell's biggest challenge?
Earnings swing with oil and gas prices, and its slower energy transition draws criticism from climate campaigners and some investors.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Energy & Utilities brands
- Top 10 Best British Brands
- UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- Biggest British Brands by Revenue
- Iconic British Heritage Brands
- Most Famous British Brands
- Most Innovative British Brands
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | Shell |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Shell plc |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Founder(s) | Marcus Samuel and Samuel Samuel (Shell Transport and Trading); merged with Royal Dutch in 1907 |
| Leadership | Wael Sawan, Chief Executive Officer |
| Latest revenue | $266.9bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, -6.1%), group revenue of Shell plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Energy & Utilities |
| Website | shell.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Annual report and published financial results of Shell plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
