Samuel Leupold
SLB LIMITED/NVAbout Samuel Leupold
Independent director of SLB since 2021; age 54 with four years of Board tenure. CEO of Corio Generation (Macquarie Asset Management portfolio company) since January 2025; previously Corio’s chair from April 2022 to January 2025. Holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Zurich) and an MBA from INSEAD; brings deep energy transition and sustainability expertise from senior roles in offshore wind and utilities .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ørsted Wind Power A/S | Chief Executive Officer | 2013–2018 | Led principal subsidiary of Ørsted; operational leadership across offshore wind |
| Leupold Advisory | Independent senior advisor | Since 2019 | Advising international energy/infrastructure clients |
| Corio Generation | Chair | Apr 2022–Jan 2025 | Oversight of specialist offshore wind developer |
| Enel SpA | Director (former) | Past five years | Board experience at major European utility |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Start Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corio Generation | Chief Executive Officer | Jan 2025 | Specialist offshore wind business; Macquarie Asset Management portfolio company |
| Axpo Holding AG | Non‑executive director; Chair of Strategy Committee | Jan 2024 | Swiss utility, power generator and energy commodity trader |
Board Governance
- Committee memberships: Audit; Finance; New Energy and Innovation (member; not chair) .
- Independence: Board determined he is independent under NYSE standards; only SLB’s CEO and Miguel Galuccio are non‑independent .
- Attendance and engagement: Board and committee meetings in 2024—Board 8 (including 4 special), Audit 6, Compensation 4, Finance 4, New Energy and Innovation 3, Nominating and Governance 4; average Board attendance 98%, and no director below 75%. Executive sessions led at each Board meeting by the independent Chair .
- Overboarding policy: SLB directors limited to no more than three other listed company boards; CEOs of public companies limited to one other listed board. Nominating & Governance Committee reviewed commitments and found all nominees (including Leupold) in compliance for 2025; no nominee serves on more than two other listed boards .
Fixed Compensation
| Component | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cash retainer | $115,000 | Standard non‑employee director retainer |
| Committee membership fees | $10,000 per committee | Chairs receive $20,000 in lieu of $10,000 membership fee |
| 2024 cash fees (Leupold) | $145,000 | Consistent with retainer + three committee memberships |
| 2024 equity grant (shares) | 4,001 | Granted May 1, 2024 to each non‑employee director |
| 2024 equity grant (fair value) | $188,688 | Aggregate grant date fair value |
| 2024 total director compensation (Leupold) | $333,688 | Cash + stock awards |
Performance Compensation
| Component | Performance Metric | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | N/A | N/A | SLB pays non‑employee directors annual stock grants; no performance‑conditioned equity or cash for directors . |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company | Current Public Board? | Role | Interlock/Transactions with SLB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corio Generation | No (portfolio company) | CEO | None disclosed |
| Axpo Holding AG | Not disclosed as listed | Non‑executive director; Strategy Committee Chair | None disclosed |
| Enel SpA | Former | Director | Former role; no related‑party transactions disclosed |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Energy transition and sustainability; new energy generation and infrastructure expertise .
- Mechanical engineering and MBA credentials; operational experience leading a principal offshore wind subsidiary .
- Reason for nomination: Brings operational renewable energy leadership and transition experience to support SLB’s net‑zero ambition and sustainable technology strategy .
Equity Ownership
| Holder | Beneficial Shares | % of Class | Pledged? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Leupold | 19,994 | <1% | None; shares not subject to any pledge |
| Director stock ownership guideline | 5× annual cash retainer | Compliance within 5 years of joining Board | Guideline applies to all non‑employee directors; those with ≥5 years on Board are in compliance |
Governance Assessment
- Strengths: Independent status; multi‑committee involvement (Audit, Finance, New Energy & Innovation) enhances oversight across financial reporting, capital structure, and strategic energy transition initiatives . Board processes include rigorous annual evaluations and ongoing director education, with high attendance and regular executive sessions—supporting board effectiveness . Prohibitions on hedging/pledging for directors bolster alignment and risk controls .
- Alignment and incentives: Receives standard SLB director pay mix (cash retainer + committee fees + annual stock grant), with robust director stock ownership guidelines (5× retainer) to promote skin‑in‑the‑game over time .
- Conflicts/related‑party exposure: No related‑party transactions disclosed involving Leupold or entities he is affiliated with; Board independence review covers ordinary‑course relationships under materiality thresholds . Watch item: As CEO of Corio Generation and member of New Energy & Innovation Committee, monitor potential perceived conflicts if Corio or affiliates transact with SLB in targeted new energy sectors; none disclosed currently .
- Compliance signals: Overboarding policy compliance affirmed; no delinquent Section 16(a) reports noted for Leupold (late filings were only for another director) .