The glue in the team was Lucas

Lucas was my first boss in Shell, I joined his team in London when he was managing the Global Exchange team. The team was full of very different personalities who more often than not disagreed strongly about pretty much everything. Between some it was particularly evident, fights in the bar after work were not uncommon. But from day to day, they continued to deliver. Whatever their differences, it seemed that when it really mattered, they pulled together and got the job done. It only took a little while for me to realize that the glue in the team was Lucas, and that it was his personality and style that managed to always draw the best professionally from these people. It was his leadership that held that team together and I learnt a lot from watching him.

When Lucas moved to Malaysia, I was fortunate enough to continue to work with him on projects occasionally and in every dealing with him, I learnt more and more what it is to be a leader. He seemed to do it effortlessly.

I had a brief glimpse into his personal life when he kindly invited me to visit his house and meet his family. My memory was of kind, happy and loving people. Lucas clearly was a great father and husband, and not just a great boss.

I was really shocked when I heard the news that he’s gone. Throughout our lives, we meet many people, but Lucas was a special man – I feel privileged to have known him.

Simon Whitaker
The Shell Company of Australia Limited