FOI release

FOI2025/01031: UKRI Chair Briefings/Communications related to Shell meeting with HMA Brazil (April 2024)

This request was refused in part, so we didn't provide some of the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2025/01031

Received 17 November 2025

Published 28 January 2026

Request

Request Received: 17 November 2025

This request concerns any involvement of the UKRI Chair (Sir Andrew Mackenzie) or the Chair’s Private Office in relation to the Shell Board visit to Brasília and the April 2024 meeting between Shell directors and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Brazil.

Please provide the following information held by UKRI:

1. Briefings, notes, or documents prepared for the UKRI Chair

Including:

• Any briefings on the Chair’s participation in Shell Board activities

• Any documents prepared relating to his travel, engagements, or official interactions connected to Shell’s visit to Brazil

• Any assessments or conflict-of-interest notes produced internally

• Any internal correspondence about the implications of the Chair’s position at Shell for UKRI governance or ministerial correspondence

2. Correspondence with Shell relating to the Brazil visit

Including:

• Emails, letters, WhatsApp messages, Teams messages, or attachments exchanged between the UKRI Chair’s Private Office and Shell (or Shell representatives) regarding the Chair’s participation in the Board trip

• Any documents provided by Shell to UKRI in connection with the Brazil trip, such as itineraries, agendas, or briefing packs

3. Correspondence with government departments (FCDO, DBT, DSIT)

Including:

• Any emails, messages, or attachments referencing the Chair’s participation in the Shell Board delegation

• Any material concerning potential interactions between the Chair and UK government officials arising from the Brazil visit

4. Internal UKRI governance documents

• Any conflict-of-interest records, codes of conduct assessments, or declarations filed in connection with the Chair’s Shell Board activity during this period

• Any correspondence with DSIT ministers or officials concerning these issues

Timeframe Please cover 1 March 2024 – 30 April 2024.

Response

Response Sent: 19 December 2025

Full details of this response are provided in the attached documents.

Documents

• FOI2025_01031 Annex 1_Redacted.pdf (1.0 MB)
• FOI_Response_Letter - FOI2025_01031_Redacted.pdf (277.6 KB)

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