RIO TINTO PLC 4 December 2017
Rio Tinto has appointed Simon Thompson as chairman. Mr Thompson, who joined the Rio Tinto board as a non-executive director in 2014, will become chairman on 5 March 2018. He succeeds Jan du Plessis who will step down as chairman and from the Rio Tinto board on the same date after serving almost nine years as chairman.
Mr Thompson has over 20 years' experience working across five continents in the mining and metals industry. From 1995 to 2007, he worked for the Anglo American group, holding a number of senior positions, including executive director of Anglo American plc, chief executive of the Base Metals Division, chairman of the Exploration Division, and chairman of Tarmac. His experience as a non-executive director includes serving on the boards of AngloGold Ashanti, Rusal and Newmont Mining Corporation.
Mr Thompson has been chairman of 3i Group plc since 2015 and was chairman of Tullow Oil plc from 2012 to 2017. Earlier in his career, he held investment banking positions at S.G. Warburg and N M Rothschild.
Rio Tinto senior independent director Ann Godbehere said 'The Rio Tinto board would like to thank Jan for his significant contribution as chairman of Rio Tinto. He led the board during considerable transformation of the company.
'The board is delighted to have appointed Simon to chair Rio Tinto. He brings to the role a deep understanding of the mining industry, as well as a strong track record as a non-executive.'
Simon Thompson said 'I am honoured to accept this role and to succeed Jan as chairman. Rio Tinto is in great shape, with a strong management team, world-class assets and a successful strategy. I look forward to leading the board as we work with J-S and his team to ensure that Rio Tinto continues to deliver superior returns for its shareholders by maintaining its capital discipline and 'value-over-volume' approach'.
Rio Tinto chairman Jan du Plessis said 'I am really pleased to be succeeded by Simon, especially given how closely we have worked together since he joined the board some three years ago. I wish him the very best. I am handing over the baton at a time when the business is in great shape and Rio Tinto has the strongest balance sheet in the sector'.
Upon assuming the role of chairman, Mr Thompson will step down as chairman of the Rio Tinto remuneration committee and will also cease to be a member of the audit committee. Sam Laidlaw, who previously chaired the remuneration committee at HSBC Holdings plc, will succeed Mr Thompson as chair of the Rio Tinto remuneration committee with effect from 5 March 2018.
Contacts
media.enquiries@riotinto.com
riotinto.com
Follow @RioTinto on Twitter
Media Relations, United Kingdom Illtud Harri T +44 20 7781 1152 M +44 7920 503 600 David Outhwaite T +44 20 7781 1623 M +44 7787 597 493 David Luff
T +44 20 7781 1177 Investor Relations, United Kingdom John Smelt T +44 20 7781 1654 M +44 7879 642 675 David Ovington T +44 20 7781 2051 M +44 7920 010 978 Nick Parkinson T +44 20 7781 1552 M +44 7810 657 556 | Media Relations, Australia Jonathan Rose T +61 3 9283 3088 M + 61 447 028 913 Jesse Riseborough T +61 8 6211 6013 M +61 436 653 412 Investor Relations, Australia Natalie Worley T +61 3 9283 3063 M +61 409 210 462 Rachel Storrs T +61 3 9283 3628 M +61 417 401 018 |
Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom
T +44 20 7781 2000 No. 719885 | Rio Tinto Limited Level 7, 360 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 |
Rio Tinto plc published this content on 04 December 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 04 December 2017 07:06:09 UTC.
Original documenthttp://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/rio_tinto1/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=507&newsid=954880
Public permalinkhttp://www.publicnow.com/view/1EB24E49C3733174537F0B6EF8947AFEE42F03E5
