BHP Billiton has continued making big changes in key executive positions, appointing Ian Maxwell as president energy coal, following the move of Jimmy Wilson from energy coal to take up Ian Ashby's position of president iron ore, announced in March.
Mr Maxwell joined BHP Billiton in 2004 as president Minerals Exploration. Previously, he was managing director and head of global Mining research for Citigroup. In his early career he worked for Anglo American and Rio Tinto in a variety of Exploration and Business Development roles. Ian has a BSc in Mining Geology from the Royal School of Mines.
BHP Billiton group executive and chief executive ferrous and coal, Marcus Randolph, said: “Ian has invaluable global experience and a deep understanding of BHP Billiton’s operating model and the energy coal market. I am delighted to welcome him to the leadership role in energy coal.”
Danny Malchuk, currently BHP Billiton vice president strategy and development, base metals, will take over from Ian as president minerals exploration. Danny joined base metals in 2002 in business development and was asset leader joint ventures before being appointed to his current role in 2007. Prior to joining BHP Billiton, he worked in investment banking with Dresdner Kleinwort Benson. Danny holds an industrial engineering degree from University of Chile and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
BHP Billiton group executive and chief executive non-ferrous, Andrew Mackenzie, said: “Danny has been a strong leader within Base Metals and his experience within the operations will be an asset to the minerals exploration team. I look forward to continuing to work with Danny as he takes on this exciting and challenging area of the business.”
Both appointments will be effective from 1 July 2012. Ian will be based in Sydney, Australia, while Danny will lead the minerals exploration team from Singapore.
In late March, BHP Billiton today announced that its iron ore president, Ian Ashby, would be leaving BHP Billiton on 1 July 2012, after more than 25 years with the Company. Mr Ashby will be succeeded by Jimmy Wilson, currently BHP Billiton energy coal president.
At the time, Mr Randolph, said:
“Jimmy is a very experienced business leader who has more than 20 years’ experience with the Group. He will build on Ian’s successful leadership to continue to grow the Iron Ore business, while ensuring it continues to operate to world class standards. Jimmy’s background includes successful roles as President of the Energy Coal and Stainless Steel Materials business groups and he brings deep operating and project experience to his new role in Iron Ore. I know that he and his family are looking forward to returning to Perth.
“I would also like to thank Ian for his tremendous contribution to BHP Billiton during his 25 years with the group. Under his leadership iron ore has become our largest and most profitable business. Ian will leave iron ore in excellent shape and with a bright future. His wisdom and experience will be missed, and we wish him all the best.”
BHP said to allow a smooth transition, Mr Wilson would join the iron ore team immediately while energy coal CFO, Andre Liebenberg, would assume the role of acting president, energy coal.
Earlier in March, BHP announced that aluminium president, Jon Dudas, would be leaving the organisation and its aluminium vice president, finance, David Richardson, will assume the role of acting president.
Mr Richardson spent the last four years in the BHP Billiton aluminium business following various roles held in the company.
