In 2004, Shell Group (not Shell Czech Republic) entered into a Joint Venture agreement with the Czech government, ConocoPhillips and ENI to purchase a minority share in the only 2 refineries in the Czech Republic, run under the Czech Refining Company (Ceska Rafinerska a.s.).
In 2006, Martin Jaros was asked in his role as CFO for Shell Czech Republic to take on an additional role, as a member of the supervisory board of Ceska Rafinerska a.s., overseeing the board of management of the JV (made of representatives of the JV partner companies).
The Czech refining company has net assets worth over $1,100mil and annual turnover in excess of $500mil, employing about 660 people in 2 major locations at any given time. Shortly after the JV was formed, the Czech government sold it’s 49% share to a Polish oil company (PKN Orlen).
After 2 years on the supervisory board, Martin was elected as Vice-Chair of the supervisory board, and due to various turmoil within PKN Orlen in 2010/2011, spent almost a year as the de-facto chair of the supervisory board during this period as they failed to elect a Chair.
Martin remained on the supervisory board as vice-Chair until his departure from Shell in August 2012, at which time Martin Jaros was also replaced on the supervisory board.
Martin’s almost 7 years working closely with various senior managers from different competitors and union officials at the Joint Venture were instrumental in building Martin’s skills for operating effectively in a Joint venture environments with both hostile and friendly partners.