BHP headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. The diversified mining commodities group, which is listed on the JSE, London, the US and in Australia, announced a leadership reshuffle, following the appoint of a new CEO Brandon Craig to take the reins from July 1, 2026.
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BHP Group, the global diversified mining and resources group, on Friday announced changes to its leadership team, the first since a new CEO-elect replaced former CEO Mike Henry.
Last month, the board announced that Brandon Craig would become CEO and director from July 1. On Friday, the group announced further changes to the executive leadership team.
"These new appointments ensure we continue to build organisational capacity, with the right mix of skills, experience, and perspectives to deliver BHP's strategy and pursue our growth agenda,” Craig said in a statement.
The President Americas role was being split into President North America and President South America. This would allow a greater focus on each of these regions, he said.
“Our operating environment is increasingly complex, but also rich in opportunity for companies that are best able to positively engage stakeholders, deploy capital to the right opportunities in a disciplined way, and deliver safe, reliable operational performance,” he said.
He said he was confident the new appointments would support BHP's progress in strategy, operating performance, growth, and our differentiated approach to social value creation – all in support of strong long-term shareholder returns.
Jessica Farrell was appointed President North America, effective July 1, 2026. Farrell is currently Vice President of Innovation, and prior to this, was Western Australia Nickel Asset President.
“Jess has more than 20 years of experience across a range of commodities and jurisdictions, holding senior roles at BHP. Jess brings a strong combination of operational leadership, strategic implementation, and partnership experience. She has a proven track record of navigating complex transitions while prioritising safety, employee, and community outcomes,” said Craig.
Jess would also act in the position of President South America, as recruitment is completed for that role.
Edgar Basto, current chief operating officer, would remain on the executive leadership team and report to the CEO as chief enterprise performance officer.
“In this new capacity, Edgar will remain accountable for BHP's Health, Safety, and Security and the BHP Operating System (BOS). In addition, Edgar will be accountable for strengthening contractor safety and further embedding operating discipline and performance across the enterprise,” said Craig.
Geraldine Slattery would continue as President Australia and would assume responsibility for Copper South Australia, bringing all of the Australian operating assets together under her leadership.
Staying in their roles are chief financial officer Vandita Pant and chief commercial officer Rag Udd. Chief development officer Catherine Raw will also remain.
Henry, who had led the group since 2020, had reshaped the group into a simpler, more manageable organization by selling off oil and gas operations and divesting non-core assets.
Craig’s appointment had, according to other reports, signalled a clear strategic direction for BHP: its next phase of growth would be driven by copper and potash assets concentrated in Canada, the US, and South America.
Craig joined BHP in 1999 and has accumulated more than 25 years of operational and corporate leadership experience across the group. Before assuming the Americas presidency in March 2024, he led BHP’s Western Australia iron ore business, where he improved operational performance and helped consolidate BHP’s position as the lowest-cost, highest-margin major iron ore producer.
BHP’s share price traded 1.63% lower at R668.08 on the JSE Friday afternoon, a price that was nonetheless 54% higher than the price it traded at a year ago.
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