BHP CEO Mike Henry to step down, Brandon Craig named new chief as mining giant shifts focus to copper
BHP has announced its chief executive will step down after more than six years, marking a major leadership shift at the mining giant.
Giant miner BHP Group said Mike Henry is to step down from the chief executive role as of July 1 after six-and-a-half years in the top job. Mr Henry will be succeeded by BHO’s current President for the Americas, Brandon Craig.
“We would like to recognise the outstanding contribution of Mike Henry to BHP as CEO,” said chairman Ross McEwan.
“Under his leadership, BHP has transformed into a safer and more productive company, financially strong and sharply focused on shareholder value and social value.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.BHP shares have added about 28 per cent since Mr Henry took the role as he helped pivot the Pilbara-focused iron ore miner into making more money from copper as part of its push into the clean energy transition.
Mr McEwan said Mr Craig brings more than 25 years of operational and corporate leadership experience at BHP to the role. He is currently leading the company’s growth in copper-focused regions of Canada, US and South America.
“I am confident that his discipline and focus will continue to drive BHP’s high-performance culture and advance the company’s unrivalled pipeline of growth options to maximise shareholder returns,” said Mr McEwan.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Craig has South African roots after completing an engineering degree at the University of Natal in South Africa before completing joining BHP in Singapore in 2007.
Mr Craig will start on a base salary of $US1.9 million ($2.7m), plus bonuses.
He said he was honoured to take on the role and paid tribute to Mr Henry.
“Thanks to his leadership, BHP is well positioned for the future,” Mr Craig said.
“As incoming CEO, I am committed to leading the talented and hard-working people who make BHP a great company and continuing to generate long-term value for all our shareholders.
“I will work tirelessly with the board and management to achieve this. I look forward to continuing to take this great company forward.”
Mr Henry said it had been a privilege to lead The Big Australian and he was proud of what had been achieved during his tenure.
“We are creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, our supply chain, partners and our communities,” he said.
“Brandon is an excellent choice as CEO, and I wish him every success in the role.”
More to come.
