Who will lead BHP, Anglo American and Glencore into the next decade?
Some of the mining world’s top executives are starting to plan their departures, driving speculation about who will lead their companies into the next decade.
The changing of the guard raises the prospect of a strategic shift, as the industry searches for ways to enthuse investors after a belt-tightening era characterized by asset sales and cost control. Here, based on conversations with executives, investors and industry decision makers, are some of the key names to watch.
BHP Group
There has been near-constant speculation for years around the future of BHP Group CEO Andrew Mackenzie. By 2017, the chatter was so loud that the new chairman’s first meeting with the press was preceded by a statement backing his CEO.
Now, it seems that BHP is ready for a change. Mackenzie, 62, could make an exit in 2020, by which time he would have held the job for seven years. That could be announced as soon as this year, according to people familiar with the company’s thinking.
BHP Chairman Ken MacKenzie—no relation to the CEO—favors an internal hire, which he views as less risky. The current internal front runners are Peter Beaven, the chief financial officer, and Mike Henry, head of the company’s Australian business that includes its giant iron ore operations, according to the people.
For the rest of this article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-15/mining-s-biggest-jobs-are-up-for-grabs-here-are-the-contenders