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Chip Goodyear Appointed Bhp Billiton Chief Executive, Brian Gilbertson Resigns
News Release
BHP Billiton Plc
ISIN: GB0000566504
Share code: BIL
Date: 6 January 2003
CHIP GOODYEAR APPOINTED BHP BILLITON CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BRIAN GILBERTSON RESIGNS
The boards of BHP Billiton Ltd and BHP Billiton Plc today announced that they
had appointed Mr Charles (Chip) Goodyear as Chief Executive to replace Mr Brian
Gilbertson, who has resigned as Chief Executive and as a director due to
irreconcilable differences with the Boards.
In order to resolve this situation and in the best interests of the company and
its shareholders, Mr Gilbertson decided to resign.
"Brian and Paul Anderson were the primary architects of the successful merger of
BHP and Billiton that has made the group one of the world`s leading resources
companies," BHP Billiton Chairman Don Argus said today.
"We wish him every success in the future."
"During my time at BHP Billiton it was a privilege to lead an experienced and
talented management team as we created the leading player in our industry. I
have every confidence in the future success of the group under Chip Goodyear`s
leadership," Mr Gilbertson said.
Mr Goodyear (44), who joined BHP in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer, has been
Chief Development Officer for the BHP Billiton group since June 2001 and was
appointed an executive director in November 2001. Mr Goodyear takes up his new
appointment immediately.
Mr. Argus said that Mr Goodyear has the full support of the board in continuing
the strategic approach announced last year.
"Chip is an outstanding executive with solid resources industry experience.
During his time at BHP Billiton he has shown real leadership skills, financial
acumen and a great ability to get things done. He is widely respected throughout
the company and is highly regarded by the investment community.
"The success of the merger integration, the quality of our world class asset
base and management team continues to be reflected in the group`s solid
underlying performance" Mr Argus said.
Commenting on his appointment Mr Goodyear said:
"The Customer Sector Group business model and the company`s strategy have been
in place and effective for over 18 months. The financial success and the
significant progress we have made demonstrate our business model and strategy
are working well. Together with the rest of the organization I am enthusiastic
about the future and I look forward to continuing these initiatives and building
on the progress we have made."
Biographical background attached.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our
Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Relations
Mobile: +61 408 313 259 Tel: +44 20 7747 3956
email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Michael Buzzard, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2046 Tel: +44 20 7747 3977
Mobile: +61 417 914 103 email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
email: Michael.Buzzard@bhpbilliton.com
United States South Africa
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations Michael Campbell, Investor & Media
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Relations
Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 Tel: +27 11 376 3360
email: Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com email:
Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Charles (Chip) Goodyear
Charles W (Chip) Goodyear became Chief Executive of BHP Billiton on 6 January
2003. Mr Goodyear will relocate from London to the company`s headquarters in
Melbourne to take up his appointment.
Mr Goodyear (44), who joined BHP in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer, has been
BHP Billiton`s Chief Development Officer since June 2001 and an executive
director since November 2001.
As Chief Development Officer Chip was responsible for overseeing the group`s
portfolio management activities worldwide as well as strategy development and
corporate activity.
In this position he is recognised for completing a number of important
transactions that have further refined the BHP Billiton`s asset portfolio and
added significant value for shareholders. They include merger with Billiton plc
and specific transactions including the sale of BHP Billiton`s interest in CVRD,
the Intercor acquisition and the exit from Indonesian Coal.
Together with Paul Anderson, Chip is widely credited with turning around the
fortunes of the old BHP.
Mr Goodyear has extensive financial, corporate restructuring and merger and
acquisition experience. He was formerly President of Goodyear Capital
Corporation based in the United States. He is highly regarded in the
international resources industry holding a number of senior positions including
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the NYSE listed
resources company Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
Career
Executive Director & Chief Development Officer 2001 - 2002; Chief Financial
Officer 1999-2001; President Goodyear Capital Corporation 1997-99; Executive
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.1995-97; Senior
Vice President & Chief Investment Officer Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 1993-95; Vice
President Corporate Finance Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 1989-93; Vice President
Kidder, Peabody & Co. 1986-89; Assistant Vice President Kidder, Peabody & Co.
1985-86; Associate Kidder, Peabody & Co. 1983-85
Personal
MBA The Wharton School of Finance University of Pennsylvania; BSc Yale
University, Connecticut.
Married, two children. Recreation: Bicycling, skiing, fishing
Date: 06/01/2003 07:50:00 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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