BHP Billiton To Appoint Marius Kloppers As New CEO
31 May 2007
Number 15/07
The Board of BHP Billiton announced today that Marius Kloppers would succeed Chip Goodyear as Chief Executive Officer from 1 October 2007.
In February the Company announced that Mr Goodyear would retire by the end of the year and that a search was underway for a new Chief Executive Officer.
Chairman Don Argus said the Board was confident that Mr Kloppers would bring to the CEO role the skills needed to take the company to the next stage of its development.
"We are in a time of considerable change in our industry with the emergence of new markets and sources of supply. Marius’ vast experience in the resources sector and his demonstrated strategic capabilities provide the skills we need in the next leader of our great company", he said.
Mr Kloppers is currently Group President Non-Ferrous Materials and an Executive Director of BHP Billiton. Since the formation of the BHP Billiton Group in 2001 he has also held the positions of Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Commercial Officer.
Mr Goodyear said Mr Kloppers had extensive experience in the operating, marketing and strategic aspects of the natural resources industry, gained through 14 years with BHP Billiton and its predecessor companies. "Marius has an excellent strategic mind and delivers on his commitments. He has a very value focused leadership style and will make an excellent CEO," he said.
Mr Kloppers said he was humbled by the trust placed in him by the Board. "This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead an outstanding company with talented people and I am committed to continuing the great work of Chip and his team," Mr Kloppers said.
Mr Goodyear will retire as CEO on 30 September and from the Group at the end of the 2007 calendar year.
Mr Kloppers will be based at the Group’s headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.
Biographical details of Mr Kloppers are attached.
For further information please contact:
Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com