BHP has announced a number of updates to its executive leadership team, including a new Chief Financial Officer and new Chief Commercial Officer.
BHP CEO, Mike Henry, said that these new appointments ensure that BHP continues to build organisational capacity, with the right mix of skills, experience and perspectives to deliver its strategy and pursue its growth agenda.
“BHP continues to make significant progress on its strategy, delivering strong operating performance, an enhanced portfolio more strongly leveraged to the megatrends shaping the world, improved growth options, and a differentiated approach to social value creation – all in support of strong long-term shareholder returns,” Mr Henry said.
Chief Financial Officer
As of 1 March 2024 Vandita Pant will serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Ms Pant is currently Chief Commercial Officer and joined BHP in 2016 and was previously Group Treasurer and Head of Europe.
Ms Pant has more than 20 years’ experience in executive banking roles across India, Singapore, Japan and the United Kingdom, including with ABN Amro and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Ms Pant brings strong global financial market, commodity and business development experience to the role.
David Lamont, current CFO, will remain with BHP until February 2025 as a Senior Executive Officer in an advisory and projects capacity, reporting directly to the CEO.
Chief Commercial Officer
Ragnar Udd will step into the role of Chief Commercial Officer, effective 1 March 2024.
Mr Udd is currently President Americas. BHP has said that since his appointment in November 2020, Mr Udd has brought a systematic focus to leading the business safely and productively and has taken Jansen Stage 1 and Stage 2 through to sanction, opening up a new growth front for BHP in Potash.
Mr Udd brings more than 25 years’ experience in the global resources industry in North America, Australia and South America. Mr Udd has previously held senior roles at BHP including in Western Australia Iron Ore, BMA and Technology.
President Americas
Brandon Craig has been appointed President Americas as of 1 March 2024.
BHP said that Mr Craig is currently Asset President Western Australia Iron Ore, and in this role has demonstrated his ability to deliver strong performance across an integrated business of mines, rail and port operations.
Mr Craig joined BHP in 1999 and has previously held Aluminium, Corporate and Coal leadership roles and brings more than 20 years’ experience driving transformational change and operational excellence.
Chief Technical Office
Johan van Jaarsveld has been appointed Chief Technical Officer, commencing in the role 1 March 2024.
Mr van Jaarsveld is currently Chief Development Officer and since his appointment in September 2020, has led strategy, acquisitions and divestments, securing early-stage growth options in future-facing commodities, capital prioritisation and decision evaluation.
Prior to joining BHP, Mr van Jaarsveld held executive positions in resources and finance, and has more than 25 years’ experience, working across Asia, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
Mr van Jaarsveld will replace Laura Tyler, who will leave BHP on 29 February 2024.
BHP said that Mr van Jaarsveld’s successor as Chief Development Officer will be the subject of a separate announcement in due course.
Mr Henry thanked Mr Lamont for his significant contribution to BHP as CFO since he re-joined in December 2020.
“During his time as CFO, David has enhanced our approach to capital allocation and his breadth of experience was invaluable as BHP navigated a period of portfolio transformation and improving underlying performance.
“I would also like to thank Laura for her commitment and contribution to BHP over almost 20 years. Laura joined BHP in 2004 and has made an outstanding contribution in multiple technical and operational roles across BHP and most recently supporting the growth of technology, innovation, exploration and ongoing continuous improvement at BHP as Chief Technical Officer.
“I thank David and Laura on behalf of employees across BHP, the executive leadership team, the Board and our shareholders.”
The industry has responded to the news, with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) congratulating its President, Brandon Craig, on his promotion to BHP President Americas.
CME’s Chief Executive, Rebecca Tomkinson, said that the move to a global role was a reflection of Mr Craig’s exceptional leadership skills and strong performance overseeing BHP’s iron ore division in Western Australia.
“We have been very fortunate to have Brandon as our President this year, and his involvement with CME on our Advisory Board and Executive Committee over the past few years has been invaluable,” Ms Tomkinson said.
“Brandon’s tenure has been at a time of great opportunity for the sector, building on the strength of our gold industry, iron ore and oil and gas sectors while also facilitating the exponential growth of our emerging critical minerals sector that will be crucial to meet our decarbonisation goals.”
