Leadership changes have been announced to board and management teams at BHP, Fortescue and Evolution Mining.
BHP
Current BHP chair Ken MacKenzie is set to retire from the board on March 31, after more than eight years at the Big Australian.
MacKenzie joined the BHP board in September 2016 and has been chair since September 2017.
During his tenure, MacKenzie oversaw the strategic transformation of BHP’s portfolio towards future-facing commodities such as copper.
“It has been a privilege to serve as the chair of BHP for the last eight years and as a director for nine years and I am proud of what the board and management has achieved during that time,” MacKenzie said.
“BHP is a simpler, more productive and more resilient company and this has been a result of a talented and committed team focused on creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, our supply chain, partners and our communities.”
Succeeding MacKenzie is Ross McEwan, who has been an independent non-executive director of BHP since April 2024.
McEwan has over 30 years’ global executive experience, with specific expertise in capital allocation, risk management and value creation in complex regulatory environments.
Before joining BHP, McEwan was the National Australia Bank CEO for five years.
“It is an honour and privilege to succeed Ken MacKenzie as chair of BHP,” McEwan said.
“Under his leadership, the company is simpler, more agile and well positioned for the future. Ken will be remembered for his strategic decision-making, active institutional and retail shareholder engagement and outstanding capacity to see value, whether that’s in strategy, portfolio, operational excellence or capital allocation.
“As incoming chair, I am committed to generating long-term value for all our shareholders and will work tirelessly with the board and management to achieve this. I look forward to continuing to take this great company forward.”
McEwan will become BHP chair on March 31. MacKenzie wished McEwan the best in the new role.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow board members as well as the broader BHP team for their dedication to the ongoing success of BHP,” MacKenzie said.
“Ross is an excellent choice as leader of the board, and I wish him every success in the role.”
Fortescue
Noel Quinn, the former HSBC Holdings chief executive officer (CEO), has joined the Fortescue board as a non-executive director.
As HSBC CEO, Quinn was involved in several initiatives to facilitate public sector and private sector financing solutions for large infrastructure projects.
Now, Quinn is bringing his 37 years of banking experience across a broad range of financial services to Fortescue.
Quinn’s appointment comes as Fortescue works to eliminate Scope 1 and 2 emissions at its Pilbara iron ore operations by 2030 without voluntary carbon offsets and carbon capture and storage, an initiative the company calls ‘real zero’.
“I am honoured to be joining the Fortescue board at a time when the company is pursuing its ambitious ‘real-zero’ journey, leading the way for industry to decarbonise and transition to a fossil fuel-free future,” Quinn said.
Related stories:
“I look forward to bringing my experience in global banking to assist the company in achieving its long-term growth objectives and continuing to deliver on shareholder value.”
Fortescue executive chairman Andrew Forrest welcomed Quinn to the board.
“Noel is a highly respected leader who brings a wealth of international expertise and experience in finance and capital markets,” Forrest said.
“His deep understanding of the complexities of the global financial landscape will be invaluable as Fortescue continues to diversify into new markets and grow as a green technology, energy and metals group.”
Evolution Mining
Current Evolution Mining executive chair Jake Klein is set to become the company’s non-executive chair on July 1.
Klein has served as Evolution’s executive chair since October 2011, when Conquest Mining and Catalpa Resources merged to form Evolution.
In his upcoming role as non-executive chair, Klein will continue leading Evolution’s efforts in converting the Mt Rawdon gold operation into the Mt Rawdon Pumped Hydro project, which is expected to provide up to 20 gigawatt hours of renewable energy storage to aid Queensland’s energy transition.
“Having had the privilege of being both the founder and an executive of Evolution since our journey began almost 15 years ago, I have decided that the time is right, for the business and for me, for this change,” Klein said.
“Lawrie (Conway) and I worked seamlessly together as he transitioned into leading the company in the role of managing director and CEO, with Evolution’s record financial results released today a testament to him and his leadership team.
“I look forward to being a part of Evolution’s future and thank my fellow board members and our shareholders for their ongoing support.”
Evolution lead independent director Peter Smith said Klein’s “inspired vision” has been key to the company’s success to date.
“We look forward to Jake’s continued involvement and leadership as non-executive chair and acknowledge his significant contribution to our company,” Smith said.