UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
| BHP
Billiton Limited ----------------------------------- |
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| (Translation of registrant's name into English) | ||||
| 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia | ||||
| ----------------------------------- (Address of principal executive office) |
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| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: [ ] Yes [x] No | ||||
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1 August 2006
Number 25/06
BHP Billiton announced today Mike Salamon's intention to retire from BHP Billiton after this year's Annual General Meeting in London. Mr Salamon is currently Executive President of BHP Billiton and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive and the BHP Billiton Board of Directors.
Over a career spanning 21 years with BHP Billiton and its predecessor companies, Mike has held a number of leadership roles. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Billiton Plc and a key player in the 2001 merger between BHP and Billiton. In 2004 he was appointed Group President Non-Ferrous Materials with responsibility for BHP Billiton's aluminium, base metals and stainless steel materials customer sector groups. He became Executive President of BHP Billiton in early 2006 with responsibility for a range of functions including Marketing, Strategy and Business Development, Health, Safety and Environment, Sustainable Development, Exploration and Technology as well as several country offices.
BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Chip Goodyear, thanked Mike for his invaluable service to the Group for over two decades.
"Mike has been a key leader and tireless contributor to our organisation for over 20 years. In the five years since the merger we have bedded down the joint company and created the leader in the resources industry. We have reported a series of record results and have in place a high quality management team. Mike has helped make all of these outcomes possible. We understand Mike's desire to take some time off and to eventually move into some new challenges, but will greatly miss his enthusiasm and wise counsel".
BHP Billiton's Chairman, Don Argus, also thanked Mike for his service on the Board and said that his Board colleagues would miss Mike's insightful contributions.
"We wish him continued success in the years ahead," he said.
Mr Salamon said that while there was never a perfect time to retire he felt privileged to have played a part in the creation of the world's largest diversified mining group.
"BHP Billiton is an outstanding organisation and I feel honoured to have been part of its success over the past 20 years. With its depth of quality assets and first class people it is well positioned for future success."
On retirement, Mr. Salamon's responsibilities will be allocated to existing members of the Office of the Chief Executive. Exploration and Technology will report to Marcus Randolph; Health, Safety and Environment, Sustainable Development and the China office will report to Chris Lynch; South Africa and Russia will report to Marius Kloppers; and, Strategy and Business Development and Marketing will both report directly to the CEO.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia |
United Kingdom |
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Jane Belcher, Investor Relations United States |
Illtud Harri, Media Relations South Africa |
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 |
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 |
The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. |
| BHP Billiton Limited | ||
| Date: 1 August 2006 | By: |
Karen Wood |
| Name: | Karen Wood | |
| Title: | Company Secretary |