Our Board

See below for qualification abbreviations.

Don Argus AO, SF Fin, FCPA, 69

Don Argus
Term of office:
Director of BHP Limited since November 1996 and Chairman since April 1999. Chairman of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since June 2001. Mr Argus was re-elected in 2007.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
Don Argus has considerable experience in international business and a strong management background. He has more than 40 years' experience in the banking industry and is a former Managing Director and CEO of the National Australia Bank Limited.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Director of Australian Foundation Investment Company Ltd (since May 1999)
  • Former Chairman of Brambles Limited (from September 1999 to February 2008) and Former Director (from May 1999 to February 2008)
  • Former Director of Southcorp Limited (from May 1999 until August 2003)
  • Member of the International Advisory Council of Allianz Aktiengesellschaft (since April 2000)
  • Member of International Advisory Committee to the New York Stock Exchange Board of Directors (since November 2005)
Board Committee membership:
  • Chairman of the Nomination Committee

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Paul Anderson B S (Mech Eng), MBA, 63

Paul Anderson
Term of office:
Appointed a Non-executive Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc on 26 April 2006 with effect from 6 June 2006 and was elected in 2006. He was the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of BHP Limited from December 1998 until June 2001 and of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc from June 2001 until July 2002. He was a non-executive Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc from July to November 2002. Mr Anderson was elected in 2006.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
Paul Anderson has an extensive background in natural resources and energy and, as an architect of the merger that created BHP Billiton, has a deep understanding of the strategy behind the Group's success. He is Chairman of the Board of Spectra Energy Corporation and retired as Chairman of Duke Energy Corporation in January 2007 where he had more than 20 years experience at Duke Energy and its predecessors.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Chairman Spectra Energy Corporation (since January 2007)
  • Former Director of Qantas Airways Limited (from September 2002 to April 2008)
  • Former Chairman of Duke Energy Corporation (from November 2003 to January 2007) and former Chief Executive Officer (from November 2003 to April 2006)
  • Former Director of Temple Inland Inc. (from February 2002 to May 2004)
  • Former Director of Fluor Corporation (from March to October 2003)
  • Member of the US President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
Board Committee membership:
  • Member of the Sustainability Committee

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John Buchanan BSc, MSc (Hons 1), PhD, 64

John Buchanan
Term of office:
Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since February 2003. Dr Buchanan has been designated as the Senior Independent Director of BHP Billiton Plc since his appointment. Dr Buchanan was re-elected in 2006.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
John Buchanan has had a wide international business career gained in large and complex international businesses. He has substantial experience in the petroleum industry and knowledge of the United Kingdom and international investor community. He has held various leadership roles in strategic, financial, operational and marketing positions, including executive experience in different countries. He is a former executive Director and Group CFO of BP, serving on the BP Board for six years until November 2002.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Chairman of Smith & Nephew Plc (since April 2006) and former Deputy Chairman (from February 2005 to April 2006)
  • Director of AstraZeneca Plc (since April 2002)
  • Senior Independent Director and Deputy Chairman of Vodafone Group Plc (since July 2006) and Director (since April 2003)
  • Former Director of Boots Plc (from December 1997 until July 2003)
Board Committee membership:
  • Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
  • Member of the Nomination Committee

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Carlos Cordeiro AB, MBA, 51

Carlos Cordeiro
Term of office:
Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since February 2005. Mr Cordeiro was re-elected in 2007.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
Carlos Cordeiro brings to the Board more than 25 years' experience in providing strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial institutions and governments around the world. He was previously Partner and Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Advisory Director of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc (since December 2001)
  • Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs (Asia) (since June 2000)
Board Committee membership:
  • Member of the Remuneration Committee

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David Crawford B Comm, LLB, FCA, FCPA, FAICD, 64

David Crawford
Term of office:
Director of BHP Limited since May 1994. Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since June 2001. Mr Crawford was re-elected in 2007.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
David Crawford has extensive experience in risk management and business reorganisation. He has acted as a consultant, scheme manager, receiver and manager and liquidator to very large and complex groups of companies. He was previously Australian National Chairman of KPMG, Chartered Accountants. The Board has nominated Mr Crawford as the financial expert of the Risk and Audit Committee for the purposes of the US Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and is satisfied that he has recent and relevant experience for the purposes of the UK Listing Authority's Combined Code.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Chairman of Foster's Group Limited (since November 2007) and Director of Foster's Group Limited (since August 2001)
  • Chairman of Lend Lease Corporation Limited (since May 2003) and Director (since July 2001)
  • Former Chairman of National Foods Limited (from November 2001 until June 2005)
  • Former Director of Westpac Banking Corporation (from May 2002 to December 2007)
Board Committee membership:
  • Chairman of the Risk and Audit Committee

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Gail de Planque AB Mathematics, MS (Physics), PhD (Env Health Sciences), 63

Gail de Planque
Term of office:
Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since19 October 2005. Dr de Planque was elected in 2005 and was re-elected in 2007.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
Gail de Planque is an expert in nuclear technology and has over 40 years' experience as a physicist, adviser and regulator in the field of nuclear energy. She also has significant experience as a non-executive Director of global energy companies and is a consultant on atomic energy matters. She is President of Strategy Matters Inc, a former Commissioner of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a former Director of the Environmental Measurements Laboratory of the US Department of Energy, and a Fellow and former President of the American Nuclear Society, a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science and a Member of the US National Academy of Engineering
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Director of Northeast Utilities (since October 1995)
  • Director of Landauer Inc. (since December 2001)
  • President of Strategy Matters Inc (since March 2001)
  • Director of Energy Strategists Consultancy Ltd (since May 1999)
  • Former Director of TXU Corp (from February 2004 to March 2007)
  • Former Director of BNFL Plc (from November 2000 to March 2005) and of BNG America Inc (from March 1995 to March 2006)
Board Committee membership:
  • Member of the Sustainability Committee
  • Member of the Remuneration Committee

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David Jenkins BA, PhD (Geology), 69

David Jenkins
Term of office:
Director of BHP Limited since March 2000. Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since June 2001. Dr Jenkins was re-elected in 2007.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
David Jenkins is a recognised authority on oil and gas technology. He was previously Chief Geologist, Director Technology and Chief Technology Advisor to BP Plc. He was also a member of the Technology Advisory Committee of the Halliburton Company and the Advisory Council of Consort Resources and Chairman of the Energy Advisory Panel of Science Applications International Corporation.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Director of Chartwood Resources Ltd (since November 1998)
  • Director of Mintaka International (Oil & Gas) Limited (previously Orion International (Oil & Gas) Ltd) (since March 2005)
  • Director of Orion International Petroleum (Gibraltar) Limited (since June 2007)
Board Committee membership:
  • Member of the Remuneration Committee
  • Member of the Risk and Audit Committee

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Marius Kloppers BE (Chem), MBA, PhD (Materials Science) 45

Marius Kloppers
Term of office:
Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since January 2006. Appointed Group President Non Ferrous Materials and Executive Director in January 2006. Appointed Group Executive and Chief Executive Non-Ferrous July 2007. Mr Kloppers was elected in 2006. Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 October 2007.
Independent:
No
Skills and experience:
Marius Kloppers has extensive knowledge of the mining industry and of BHP Billiton's operations. Active in the mining and resources industry since 1993, he was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in December 2003. He was previously Chief Marketing Officer, Group Executive of Billiton Plc, Chief Executive of Samancor Manganese, and held various positions at Billiton Aluminium, including Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Hillside Aluminium.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
None
Board Committee membership:
None

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Jacques Nasser AO, B.Bus, Hon DT, 60

Jacques Nasser
Term of office:
Appointed a Non-executive Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc on 26 April 2006 with effect from 6 June 2006 and was elected in 2006.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
Following a 33 year career with Ford in various leadership positions in Europe, Australia, Asia, South America and the United States. Jacques Nasser served as a member of the Board of Directors, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company from 1998 to 2001. He has more than 30 years' experience in large-scale global businesses.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Director of British Sky Broadcasting Ltd (since November 2002)
  • Director of Quintiles Transnational Corporation (since March 2004)
  • Partner of One Equity Partners (since November 2002)
  • Member of the International Advisory Council of Allianz Aktiengesellschaft (since February 2001)
  • Former Chairman of Polaroid Corporation (from November 2002 to April 2005)
Board Committee membership:
  • Member of the Risk and Audit Committee

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John Schubert BC Eng, PhD (Chem Eng), FIEAust, FTSE, 65

John Schubert
Term of office:
Director of BHP Limited since June 2000 and a Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since June 2001. Dr Schubert was re-elected in 2006.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
John Schubert has considerable experience in the international oil industry including at CEO level. He has had executive mining and financial responsibilities and was CEO of Pioneer International Limited for six years where he operated in the building materials industry in 16 countries. He has experience in mergers, acquisitions and divestments, project analysis and management. He was previously Chairman and Managing Director of Esso Australia Limited and President of the Business Council of Australia.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Chairman of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (since November 2004) and Director (since October 1991)
  • Director of Qantas Airways Limited (since October 2000)
  • Chairman of G2 Therapies Limited (since November 2000)
  • Former Director of Hanson Plc (from May 2000 until May 2003)
  • Former Chairman and Director of Worley Parsons Limited (from November 2002 until February 2005)
Board Committee membership:
  • Chairman of the Sustainability Committee (from 2007)
  • Member of the Nomination Committee

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David Morgan BEc, MSc, PhD, 61

David Morgan
Term of office:
Appointed a Non-Executive Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc on 17 December 2007 with effect from 1 January 2008.
Independent:
Yes
Skills and experience:
David Morgan is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Westpac (appointed March 1999) until 31 January 2008. He has extensive experience in the financial sector, having worked in the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. in the 1970s and the Federal Treasury in the 1980s where he headed all major areas before being appointed Senior Deputy Secretary. Since joining Westpac Banking Corporation in 1990, where he had responsibility for all major operating divisions including Westpac Financial Services, Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Institutional Banking and International Banking. He was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in March 1999 and will retire on 31 January 2008.
Other directorships and offices (current and recent):
  • Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Westpac Banking Corporation (from March 1999 to January 2008)
  • Former Chairman of Westpac New Zealand Limited (from September 2006 to December 2007)
  • Former Director of Westpac New Zealand Limited (from September 2006 to January 2008)
  • Member of Australian Bankers’ Association (until 31/1/08)
  • Member of Business Council of Australia (until 31/1/08)
  • Member of ASIC Business Consultative Panel (until 31/1/08)
  • Member of International Monetary Conference (until 31/1/08)
Board Committee membership:
  • Member of the Risk & Audit Committee

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Jane McAloon (Group Company Secretary) BEc (Hons), LLB, Graduate Diploma Applied Corporate Governance,  43

Jane McAloon
Term of office:
Jane McAloon was appointed Group Company Secretary in July 2007 and joined the BHP Billiton Group in September 2006 as Company Secretary for BHP Billiton Limited.
Skills and experience:
Prior to joining BHP Billiton, Jane McAloon held the position of Company Secretary and Group Manager External and Regulatory Services in the Australian Gas Light Company. Prior to this she held various Commonwealth and State government positions, including Director General of the NSW Ministry of Energy and Utilities and Deputy Director General for the NSW Cabinet Office. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

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Qualification Abbreviations

AO
Officer of the Order of Australia
AB/BA
Bachelor of Arts
B.Bus
Bachelor of Business
BComm
Bachelor of Commerce
BEc
Bachelor of Economics
BEd
Bachelor of Education
B S (Mech Eng)
Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering)
BSc
Bachelor of Science
D Com
Doctorate Commerce (honoris causa)
FAIB
Fellow Australian Institute of Bankers
FAICD
Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors
FCA
Fellow Institute of Chartered Accountants
FCIS
Fellow Chartered Institute of Secretaries
FCPA
Fellow Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants
FIEAust
Fellow Institution of Engineers, Australia
FTSE
Fellow Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
Hon DT
Honorary Doctorate of Technology
LLB
Bachelor of Laws
MBA
Master of Business Administration
MSc
Master of Science
SF Fin
Senior Fellow Finance
GDipGov 
Graduate Diploma Applied Corporate Governance

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