31st May 2007 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC31 May 2007 31 May 2007 Number 15/07 BHP BILLITON TO APPOINT MARIUS KLOPPERS AS NEW CEO The Board of BHP Billiton announced today that Marius Kloppers would succeedChip Goodyear as Chief Executive Officer from 1 October 2007. In February the Company announced that Mr Goodyear would retire by the end ofthe 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 tothe CEO role the skills needed to take the company to the next stage of itsdevelopment. "We are in a time of considerable change in our industry with the emergence ofnew markets and sources of supply. Marius' vast experience in the resourcessector and his demonstrated strategic capabilities provide the skills we need inthe next leader of our great company", he said. Mr Kloppers is currently Group President Non-Ferrous Materials and an ExecutiveDirector of BHP Billiton. Since the formation of the BHP Billiton Group in 2001he has also held the positions of Chief Marketing Officer and Chief CommercialOfficer. Mr Goodyear said Mr Kloppers had extensive experience in the operating,marketing and strategic aspects of the natural resources industry, gainedthrough 14 years with BHP Billiton and its predecessor companies. "Marius hasan excellent strategic mind and delivers on his commitments. He has a veryvalue 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. "Thisis an extraordinary opportunity to lead an outstanding company with talentedpeople and I am committed to continuing the great work of Chip and his team," MrKloppers said. Mr Goodyear will retire as CEO on 30 September and from the Group at the end ofthe 2007 calendar year. Mr Kloppers will be based at the Group's headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. Biographical details of Mr Kloppers are attached. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United KingdomSamantha Evans, Media Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246email: [email protected] email: [email protected] United States South AfricaTracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Alison Gilbert, Investor RelationsTel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227email: [email protected] email: [email protected] BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209Registered in Australia Registered in England and WalesRegistered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BHVictoria 3000 United KingdomTelephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia Marius Kloppers BE (Chem), MBA, PhD (Materials Science) DOB: 26 August 1962 Marius was born in South Africa. He obtained a degree in Chemical Engineeringfrom the University of Pretoria (South Africa), a PhD from MIT (USA) and a MBAfrom Insead (France). His early career was in petrochemicals with Sasol and materials research withMintek, both in South Africa. After obtaining his MBA he worked as a managementconsultant with McKinsey & Co in The Netherlands. Marius joined the Group in 1993 in the aluminium business and subsequently helda variety of operating and functional roles including General Manager, HillsideAluminium, and Chief Operating Officer, Aluminium. He was a core member of theteam that created the Group's aluminium business. Prior to the formation of BHPBilliton, he held other roles including Chief Executive Samancor Manganese andGroup Executive of Billiton Plc with responsibility for its coal and manganesebusinesses. He played a central role in the merger of BHP and Billiton, and held thepositions of Chief Marketing Officer and then Chief Commercial Officer beforebeing appointed Group President, Non-Ferrous Materials and an executive Directorof BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc in January 2006. Marius is married to Carin, who he met in high school. They live in Melbourne,Australia with their three children, Noni, Reuben and Gabrielle. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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