Mining News
Rio Tinto boss puts stamp on company with management shuffle
The new CEO of Rio Tinto elevated two internal staff for executive roles in sensitive business areas.
Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm has two new people in critical roles. Simon Trott, currently Chief Commercial Officer, will become Iron Ore Chief Executive. Kellie Parker, now Managing Director Pacific Operations Aluminium, will join the Executive Committee (ExCo) as Chief Executive Australia.
Despite some criticism that the company needed to look outside to gain perspective, the company is promoting from within. Trott and Parker will be taking sensitive roles. Last year Rio Tinto chief Jean-Sébastien Jacques to quit over Aboriginal cave destruction, which occurred early in 2020 as part of a mine expansion.
The company said that Parker's task will be to rebuild "...trust and strengthening external relationships across Australia." Parker joined Rio Tinto in 2001 and has held a number of safety, operational and leadership roles across both the Iron Ore and Aluminium businesses.
“While Rio Tinto continues to deliver strong safety and operational performance, despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, there are improvements we can achieve across the business to make Rio Tinto more resilient, and an even stronger performer and employer. I want to re-establish Rio Tinto as a trusted partner for host communities, governments and other stakeholders," said Stausholm in a news release.
“Now the work starts for ExCo, with a full agenda ahead of us and a determination to become a strong team. I am confident that together we can unleash Rio Tinto’s full potential.”
Stausholm also created a new role: chief operating officer. The Copper & Diamonds Chief Executive, Arnaud Soirat, will become Group COO.
