Rio Tinto names veteran miner Simon Thompson as next Chairman

Global leader in the mining and metals sector, Rio Tinto has appointed Simon Thomson as chairman. Thompson, who succeeds Jan du Plessis will assume office on March 5, 2018.

Rio senior independent director Ann Godbehere welcomed Thompson saying “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.

Source: Rio Tinto

Thompson has over 20 years’ of experience working across the global mining and metals industry. He worked for the Anglo American group from 1995 to 2007, holding a number of senior positions. His experience as a non-executive director includes serving on the boards of AngloGold Ashanti, Rusal and Newmont Mining Corporation.

He joined Rio Tinto board as a non-executive director in 2014.

On being named as the mining company’s new chairman, 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.”