BHP eyes Geraldine Slattery for CEO role, FT reports

Core Viewpoint - BHP Group is considering appointing Geraldine Slattery as its first female CEO in 140 years, marking a significant milestone for the company and the mining industry [1][6]. Group 1: Succession Planning - Current CEO Mike Henry is expected to step down by mid-2026 after five years in the role, with the board not rushing to name his successor [3]. - The appointment of a new CEO will be one of the first major decisions under Ross McEwan, who became BHP's chair in March [3]. - Other potential candidates for the CEO position include Vandita Pant (CFO), Ragnar Udd (Chief Commercial Officer), and Brandon Craig (head of the Americas) [4]. Group 2: Geraldine Slattery's Background - Slattery has three decades of experience at BHP, holding senior leadership roles across global operations, including running the U.S. petroleum business [5]. - She emigrated from Ireland to Australia in the 1990s and initially worked at CSL before joining BHP [5]. - If appointed, Slattery would join a select group of female CEOs in the mining sector, alongside figures like Mpumi Zikalala and Mfikeyi Makayi [6].