BHP Billiton today detailed a series of enhancements to its senior
management organisation and the composition of the Group's Executive
Committee.
The enhancements follow excellent progress in BHP Billiton's integration
program and will establish a more streamlined and efficient management
structure. They will also further balance the operational and functional
representation on the Group Executive Committee.
In addition, the changes provide an appropriate structure to facilitate the
transition from Paul Anderson's tenure as CEO and Managing Director, to that
of Brian Gilbertson by the end of the 2002 calendar year.
Major features of the changes are the formation of an Office of the Chief
Executive and the elimination of the role of President and CEO Minerals.
The purpose of the Office of the Chief Executive is to facilitate a seamless
transition between Paul Anderson and Brian Gilbertson as CEO and Managing
Director. Both will have common direct reports, with the exception of Steel,
until Mr Anderson's departure later this year.
Mr Anderson's main focus will relate to the delivery of the 2002 financial
year objectives; formulation of a strategic framework; a smooth leadership
transition and the effective delivery of major portfolio initiatives,
including the planned public listing of BHP Steel.
Mr Gilbertson will focus on effective delivery of the portfolio of growth
projects; improvements in the operational efficiency of the businesses and
the identification and development of new areas of business activity.
The changes to the BHP Billiton Executive Committee will be effective
immediately and include:
- Mike Salamon, currently President and CEO Minerals, will continue as the
Senior Minerals Executive on the Executive Committee, with overall
responsibility for Operational Excellence and project development within the
Minerals organisation.  In addition, Mr Salamon will act as President of
Aluminium during a period of extended leave by Dave Munro (President,
Aluminium).  Chris Pointon (President of Stainless Steel Materials), will
continue to report directly to Mr Salamon in his ongoing role as Chairman of
the Stainless Steel Materials Customer Sector Group;
- The Presidents of Base Metals (Brad Mills), Carbon Steel Materials (Bob
Kirkby) and Energy Coal (Mike Oppenheimer) will join the Executive Committee
as will the Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (Marius Kloppers) and
the Vice President Group Human Resources (Ian Fraser);
- In anticipation of the planned public listing of BHP Steel, the President
of Steel (Kirby Adams) will no longer be a member of the Executive
Committee.
BHP Billiton CEO and Managing Director Paul Anderson paid tribute to Mike
Salamon for the rapid integration of the minerals operations of the former
BHP and Billiton organisations.
"Mike's work has laid the foundation for this next step, the enhancement of
the Executive Committee structure, to deliver the Group's key business
priorities over coming years," he said.
"The new Executive Committee will comprise those responsible for managing
the entire portfolio. It will facilitate enhanced decision-making related to
major project development, capital efficiency, financial performance and
organisational effectiveness."
The structure will also allow regular detailed reviews of the Customer
Sector Groups' (CSG) strategic and operational performance, and will enable
a direct focus between the Executive Committee and the CSGs.
Corporate governance arrangements previously advised, including the
responsibilities of the Investment Review Committee and defined capital
deployment limits, will continue unchanged.
Further information can be found on our Internet site:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia
Dr Robert Porter, Investor Relations
Tel:    +61 3 9609 3540
Mobile: +61 419 587 456
mailto:Robert.Porter@bhpbilliton.com
Mandy Frostick, Media Relations
Tel:    +61 3 9609 4157
Mobile: +61 419 546 245
mailto:Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel:    +1 713 961 8625
Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
mailto:Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom
Ariane Gentil, Manager Communications
Tel:    +44 20 7747 3977
Mobile: +44 7881 518 715
mailto:Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel:    +27 11 376 3360
Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
mailto:Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
Telephone +61 3 9609 3333 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 1-3 Strand London WC2N 5HA United Kingdom
Telephone +44 20 7747 3800 Facsimile +44 20 7747 3900
Date: 21 January, 2002
A member of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in Australia