Joshua “Josh” Ferguson is an accomplished global business executive, strategic advisor, and transformational leader with approximately 30 years of experience driving business growth, developing high-performing organizations, and navigating complex commercial environments. With an extensive background spanning traditional energy, oil and gas, fuel, lubricants, fleet solutions, e-mobility, and electric vehicle infrastructure, Josh has built a distinguished career at the intersection of business innovation, operational excellence, and strategic transformation. His leadership philosophy centers on creating sustainable value through collaboration, disciplined execution, and meaningful relationships. Having successfully launched, developed, and managed businesses within one of the world’s most recognized energy companies, he brings a valuable combination of commercial expertise, international perspective, and forward-thinking leadership to organizations seeking growth and long-term success.
Throughout his career, Josh has demonstrated an exceptional ability to translate ambitious strategic objectives into measurable business results. His nearly three-decade tenure with Shell plc provided opportunities to lead diverse business functions, develop new commercial platforms, establish multinational partnerships, and guide organizations through periods of significant industry change. From his early accomplishments in sales and marketing to his eventual appointment as Global Vice President of e-Mobility, his professional journey reflects a consistent progression of increasing responsibility, organizational influence, and strategic leadership. His experience encompasses business creation, financial management, complex negotiations, organizational development, stakeholder engagement, and the successful execution of initiatives involving multiple business units and international markets.
Josh began his career with Shell Lubricants Canada in 1997, building a strong foundation in commercial strategy, customer relationship management, and business development. Over the following 12 years, he advanced through several award-winning positions, including Accounts Manager for British Columbia, Key Accounts Manager for Western Canada, and National Accounts Manager. During this period, he successfully developed business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets, strengthened important customer relationships, and contributed to the expansion of Shell’s lubricants business. These formative experiences established his reputation as a commercially focused leader capable of identifying opportunities, negotiating complex agreements, and delivering results in competitive markets.
In 2009, Josh transitioned into a pivotal leadership role within Shell Retail Canada, serving as Global Branded Wholesale Channel Manager and Project Manager. He played an instrumental role in implementing the strategic sale of Shell’s Eastern Canadian retail assets and developing the associated Global Branded Wholesale Channel. Working closely with colleagues across Canada, the United States, and Shell’s global organization, he helped establish the channel’s operational framework, contractual structures, and brand standards. He subsequently led a multifaceted team through the successful transition of hundreds of formerly Shell-owned retail locations into the new wholesale model. The initiative exceeded demanding transaction milestones, was completed in record time, and earned recognition as a best practice. This achievement highlighted his ability to manage organizational transformation while balancing operational continuity, commercial priorities, and stakeholder expectations.
Building on these accomplishments, Josh was appointed National Sales Manager for Shell Fleet Solutions Canada in 2014 and subsequently promoted to National Director in 2017 in recognition of his leadership and performance. In these positions, he assumed comprehensive responsibility for sales, operations, strategy, finance, marketing, partnerships, business development, and organizational performance. He was instrumental in designing and launching the Canadian Fleet Solutions organization, recruiting and developing its team, establishing operational processes, introducing new commercial offerings, and cultivating strategic partnerships. His leadership extended across a business representing approximately 600 million liters in volume, requiring disciplined financial oversight, effective people management, and the ability to coordinate multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Under Josh’s leadership, Shell Fleet Solutions Canada doubled its business value from inception while consistently exceeding ambitious performance expectations. He developed and strengthened relationships with major organizations, including Purolator, UPS, Amazon, Canadian Pacific Railway, ATCO, and CAA, helping establish a robust commercial foundation for continued expansion. His commitment to operational excellence and team development contributed to the organization achieving Shell’s prestigious Sales 1st Flagship designation, recognizing exceptional business management and leadership. Josh also received the North American Shell Fleet Solutions Leadership PMTDR Award and earned nominations for multiple Pinnacle Awards. Equally significant was his focus on organizational culture, reflected in annual personal leadership survey scores exceeding 90% and a diversity and inclusion initiative that resulted in 50% team diversity.
In August 2021, Josh advanced to the role of Global Vice President of e-Mobility within Shell Business Mobility, a position he held until 2025. This appointment represented a significant milestone in his career, placing him at the forefront of one of the energy industry’s most consequential transformations. Responsible for developing and executing global commercial strategy, he focused on building sophisticated multinational relationships and innovative customer solutions supporting transportation electrification and decarbonization. His responsibilities required an understanding of evolving mobility technologies, international market dynamics, complex partnership structures, and the commercial challenges associated with transitioning established transportation systems toward lower-carbon alternatives.
During his tenure in global e-mobility leadership, Josh negotiated and executed complex multinational agreements with prominent corporations and industry participants, helping transform a previously declining business into one achieving double-digit growth. His performance earned him recognition as a top performer in 2024. Beyond commercial results, he played an important role in strengthening Shell’s position within the energy transition through strategic partnerships, cross-functional collaboration, and engagement with local markets. He also represented Shell at industry conferences, public speaking engagements, and media events, sharing perspectives on e-mobility, electric vehicles, transportation innovation, and the changing energy landscape. His ability to connect emerging technologies with practical commercial strategies remains a defining strength of his executive leadership.
Following his extensive corporate career, Josh continued applying his expertise through Vynovara Strategy Advisory, where he serves as Principal Strategist. In this capacity, he brings the perspective of an executive who has successfully operated within large multinational organizations while understanding the entrepreneurial demands of launching and scaling new businesses. His advisory approach draws upon experience in strategic planning, business creation, financial management, partnership development, negotiations, and organizational transformation. He is particularly well positioned to help leadership teams evaluate growth opportunities, navigate uncertainty, strengthen commercial capabilities, and align strategic ambitions with achievable operational outcomes.
Josh’s professional experience extends across Canada, Asia, and Europe, providing him with a broad understanding of international business practices, multicultural stakeholder engagement, and the complexities of operating across different commercial environments. His career has consistently required collaboration with senior executives, multinational partners, functional leaders, and diverse teams. Whether developing strategic relationships, leading organizational change, or navigating challenging negotiations, he approaches business decisions with a combination of analytical discipline, commercial awareness, and relationship-centered leadership. His ability to unite individuals around common objectives has enabled him to build trust, encourage collaboration, and drive results across organizational and geographic boundaries.
An experienced advisor and contributor to governance-oriented initiatives, Josh also brings experience serving on two volunteer advisory boards connected to local political and legislative activities. These roles complement his corporate leadership background by providing opportunities to contribute his perspective, engage with community priorities, and support broader organizational objectives. He recognizes that effective board participation requires sound judgment, thoughtful questioning, an appreciation for risk, and the ability to balance immediate organizational needs with long-term strategic considerations. His extensive executive experience provides a strong foundation for contributing to board-level discussions involving business growth, leadership development, financial stewardship, innovation, and organizational resilience.
Josh holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, with concentrations in marketing, communications, and law. His academic foundation has been reinforced by decades of practical experience managing commercial relationships, leading teams, overseeing financial performance, and executing strategic initiatives. Throughout his career, he has continued to develop his leadership capabilities through participation in senior management forums, including Shell’s North American and global Fleet Solutions leadership teams, Shell Retail Canada’s Leadership Team, and other integrated energy and executive leadership groups. These experiences have strengthened his ability to evaluate business challenges from multiple perspectives and contribute effectively to strategic decision-making.
Beyond his professional achievements, Josh is motivated by a desire to share the knowledge, perspective, and lessons accumulated throughout his career. Having experienced the opportunities and challenges associated with business creation, international expansion, corporate transformation, and emerging technologies, he understands the importance of mentorship, responsible leadership, and contributing to something larger than individual success. He views board service as an opportunity to give back while helping organizations overcome obstacles, recognize opportunities, and advance to the next stage of their development. His interest in exploring new sectors and organizational challenges reflects an enduring curiosity, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Josh is open to board and advisory opportunities that align with his experience and where his leadership can make a meaningful contribution. Although his deepest expertise lies in energy, fuel, lubricants, payments, e-mobility, electric vehicles, and charging infrastructure, his strategic and commercial capabilities are applicable across a broad range of industries. He brings particular value to organizations pursuing expansion, transformation, market development, or strategic partnerships. With a career defined by measurable achievements, collaborative leadership, and the successful development of complex businesses, Joshua C. Ferguson offers the insight, experience, and commitment needed to help organizations pursue ambitious goals while building enduring value for stakeholders.
Character:
Josh exemplifies integrity, accountability, and a commitment to collaborative leadership, consistently emphasizing the importance of strong relationships, inclusive organizational cultures, and shared success. His desire to contribute through board service reflects a genuine commitment to giving back, supporting others, and applying his experience to help organizations achieve meaningful progress.
Knowledge:
With approximately three decades of experience spanning traditional energy, global mobility, business development, and organizational transformation, Josh possesses extensive commercial and operational knowledge. His expertise in financial oversight, strategic partnerships, international business, emerging technologies, and energy transition enables him to provide informed perspectives on complex business challenges and evolving market opportunities.
Strategic:
Josh demonstrates exceptional strategic capabilities through his proven ability to establish new businesses, execute multinational commercial agreements, and transform ambitious objectives into measurable growth. His experience balancing long-term vision with disciplined execution allows him to identify opportunities, assess risks, and help organizations develop practical strategies for sustainable success.
Communication:
An accomplished communicator who has successfully engaged multinational corporations, executive leadership teams, diverse stakeholders, and industry audiences throughout his career. His ability to articulate complex business strategies, negotiate high-value agreements, and inspire cross-functional collaboration enables him to build consensus, strengthen relationships, and influence positive organizational outcomes.
