Johannesburg - Australian mining giant BHP Billiton on Monday announced Ken MacKenzie as the company's incoming chairman effective September 1, following Jac Nasser's retirement both as chairman and non-executive director.
BHP said the appointment followed a formal chairman succession process led by senior independent director, Shriti Vadera.
MacKenzie joined the BHP board as a non-executive director in September 2016 and is a member of the board's sustainability committee.
He has extensive international business experience gained during his 23 years at Amcor, a global packaging company with operations in over 40 countries. He served as managing director and chief executive for 10 of those 23 years.
Vadera said the board undertook a rigorous search and assessment of potential external and internal candidates against clear skills and performance criteria, with the assistance of Heidrick & Struggles, a leading international recruitment firm.
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"Ken MacKenzie brings extensive global executive experience and a strategic approach. He has a proven track record of delivering value for shareholders," Vadera said.
"He has the operational and financial capabilities as well as the rigour necessary to effectively oversee BHP's capital allocation framework."
MacKenzie said he was committed to the creation of long-term value for all shareholders.
"As incoming chairman, I look forward to engaging with shareholders and other stakeholders over the coming weeks to understand their perspectives," MacKenzie said.
"I am committed to the creation of long-term value for all of our shareholders and will work tirelessly with the board and management to achieve this."
The world's biggest miner announced last month that it was in progress for further cost reductions and implementing technology programs to improve safety and unlock resource in a bid to grow value and improve returns.
As part of these plans, BHP Billiton is rebranding itself by changing its name back to just BHP, though the rebranding would not immediately include plans to formally change its listed name.
Since 2015, BHP has suffered significant financial and reputational damage after the Samarco dam disaster in Brazil at one of its joint ventures killed 19 people, destroyed 200 houses, and caused severe environmental damage.