Our Board and Lead Team

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is committed to representing shareholders and promoting and protecting the interests of South32. It does so by governing the company, having regard to our purpose, strategy, values and culture, our shareholders as a whole, and the interests of other relevant stakeholders.

Ms Karen Wood

BEd, LLB (Hons)

Chair and Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 1 November 2017 and Chair since 12 April 2019.
Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee
Location: Australia

Career summary
Ms Wood has worked in legal practice and business.
In 2001, Ms Wood joined the BHP Group and held several global executive leadership roles, including Group Company Secretary, Chief Governance Officer, Chief People Officer and President People and Public Affairs (Corporate Affairs). Following her retirement in 2014, she continued as an adviser to BHP’s Board and Chief Executive Officer until 2015. She also chaired the BHP Foundation until 2019, overseeing grant provisions for not-for-profit organisations to deliver global programs in the areas of natural resource governance, human capability and social inclusion, and conserving and sustainably managing natural environments. Before joining BHP she worked at Bonlac Foods Limited, where she spent five years as General Counsel and Company Secretary.
Other key positions Ms Wood has held include being a member of the Takeovers Panel (Australia) from 2000 to 2012 and roles with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Business Consultative Panel) and the Australian Government’s Business Regulatory Advisory Group.
External appointments
Ms Wood is a Director of the Robert Salzer Foundation and the Stars Foundation, serves as an ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Sir John Monash Leadership Academy. Ms Wood was a Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed Dierriwarrh Investments Limited from July 2016 until January 2024.
Skills and experience
Ms Wood brings extensive corporate governance expertise to her roles as Chair of our Board and the Nomination and Governance Committee. In these roles, her experienced leadership promotes a cohesive environment of constructive challenge and oversight. Ms Wood’s substantial tenure as a global executive within the resources industry means that she brings a strong understanding of the regulatory landscape and the key strategic risks and opportunities for a global mining and metals company. Her expertise in shaping culture (including through organisational and remuneration design), public policy, social performance and stakeholder engagement enables her to bring valuable insights in these areas.

Mr Graham Kerr

BBUS, FCPA

Chief Executive Officer since October 2014.
Managing Director, appointed 21 January 2015.
Location: Australia

Career summary
Mr Kerr joined BHP in 1994 and held a wide range of operational and commercial roles across the business, including Chief Financial Officer Stainless Steel Materials, Vice President Finance Diamonds and Finance Director for the BHP Canadian Diamonds Company.
In 2004, Mr Kerr joined Iluka Resources Limited as General Manager Commercial. He returned to BHP in 2006, leading to his appointment as President of Diamonds and Specialty Products where he was accountable for the Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada, Richards Bay Minerals joint venture in South Africa, diamonds exploration in Angola, the Corridor Sands Project in Mozambique and the development of BHP’s potash portfolio in Canada.
Mr Kerr was appointed BHP’s Chief Financial Officer in 2011, a role which he held until 2015 when he left to lead South32 through its demerger from BHP and listing in three countries.
External appointments
Mr Kerr is a Director of the Fremantle Football Club.
Skills and experience
Mr Kerr’s strong track record in resource development, and global experience as a commercial and operational leader within the resource industry, means that he brings deep mining and metals expertise and exceptional financial acumen. His health and safety expertise, and passion for promoting diversity and inclusion, are valued contributions to our Board as it oversees our commitment to elevate our safety performance and instil a culture where everyone feels safe and respected at work. Mr Kerr’s strong focus on a purpose-driven and values-led future for South32 make him a trusted leader as we progress the next phase of our strategy.

Mr Frank Cooper AO

BCom, FCA, FAICD

Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 7 May 2015.
Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee.
Location: Australia

Career summary
Mr Cooper qualified as a chartered accountant in Australia, leading to a 40-year career in the finance and accounting profession. He has held a number of senior tax and finance roles, including Partner at Ernst & Young, Partner / Business Unit Leader, Tax Practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Managing Partner for Arthur Andersen in Perth (for just over 10 years), during which time he specialised in the mining, energy and utility sectors.
Other key positions Mr Cooper has held include Commissioner and Chairman of the Insurance Commission of Western Australia and Pro Chancellor of the University of Western Australia.
Throughout his career, Mr Cooper has had extensive involvement in community activities, including serving as Commissioner and Chair of the West Australian Football Commission and as a Member of the State Health Research Advisory Council (Western Australia)
In 2014 Mr Cooper was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia. He was also named West Australian of the Year in the Professions category in 2015.
External appointments
Mr Cooper is a Director of St John of God Australia Limited and Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd. Mr Cooper was a Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed Woodside Energy Group Limited from February 2013 until April 2024.
Skills and experience
Mr Cooper brings exceptional financial acumen and accounting expertise, a strong understanding of legal and regulatory compliance and substantial experience in risk management oversight to our Board, all of which also make him a highly capable Risk and Audit Committee Chair. His listed company experience and expertise in capital management and corporate development are highly valued by our Board as it oversees the implementation of our strategy, as is his strong focus on organisational philosophy, values and standards.

Dr Xiaoling Liu

BEng (Extractive Metallurgy), PhD (Extractive Metallurgy), FAusIMM, FTSE, GAICD

Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 1 November 2017.
Chair of the Sustainability Committee.
Location: Australia

Career summary
Dr Liu completed her undergraduate study in Chongqing University in China and her PhD in Extractive Metallurgy at Imperial College in UK, before joining the Rio Tinto Group as a senior research scientist in 1988.
Over her 26-year career with Rio Tinto, Dr Liu held various roles in smelting operations, including General Manager Operations at Bell Bay (Tasmania), leading to other senior operational and management roles, including Managing Director Technical Services, where she led Rio Tinto’s global technical services unit. Prior to her retirement, Dr Liu was President and Chief Executive Officer of Rio Tinto Minerals, with responsibility for integrated operations of mining, processing, supply chain, marketing and sales for its Borates business in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Dr Liu has served as Vice President of the Board of the Australian Aluminium Council, a Board Member of the California Chamber of Commerce, a Director of Melbourne Business School and Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology. She has also served as a Non-Executive Director at Newcrest Mining Limited (September 2015 until November 2020) and Iluka Resources Limited (February 2016 until April 2019).
External appointments
Dr Lui was a Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed Incitec Pivot Limited from November 2019 until May 2024.
Skills and experience
With her accomplished career as a global executive in the resources industry, Dr Liu brings to our Board expertise in mining and processing operations, the execution of major capital projects and commodity value chain management. Her high financial acumen, expertise in health and safety and strong understanding of the key environmental impacts, risks and opportunities relevant to our operations, make her a valued contributor to the Committees on which she serves. Dr Liu’s knowledge and experience in technology and innovation, together with her technical background, is an asset to our Board as it oversees our advancement towards a low-carbon future.

Mr Carlos Mesquita

BEng (Metal Eng), MBA

Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 1 May 2023.
Location: Chile

Career summary
Mr Mesquita is a qualified Metallurgical Engineer. He has worked in the mining and metals industry for more than 40 years and has extensive experience in leading mining and processing operations and major capital projects.
Mr Mesquita spent 30 years with BHP where he held various positions in the company’s base metals and aluminium businesses, including Asset President of Mozal Aluminium and Asset President of Escondida – the world’s largest copper mine. During this time he also served as Vice President Major Projects where he led the base metals projects program, overseeing more than US$10 billion in mining investments in countries including Chile, Australia, and Peru.
Mr Mesquita has also previously advised mining companies and private equity funds on acquisitions of mining assets in South America and from 2014 to 2015 he was a Non-Executive Director of Mineração Serra Verde, a mid-sized rare earth minerals mine in central Brazil.
In the first half of 2022, Mr Mesquita was a consultant for South32 providing in-country support following our acquisition of a 45 per cent interest in the Sierra Gorda copper mine.
External appointments
None
Skills and experience
Mr Mesquita has extensive experience in the global mining and metals industry with a particular focus on base metals and aluminium in the Americas and Africa. His previous roles and first-hand experience of working at a projects in an operational capacity means he brings a unique and diverse perspective to our Board. This, together with his experience in leading complex operations with responsibility for safety, volume and costs, support our strategy of optimising our business by working safely, minimising our impact, consistently delivering stable and predictable performance, and continually improving our competitiveness.

Dr Ntombifuthi (Futhi) Mtoba

CA(SA), DCom (Honoris Causa), BCompt (Hons), HDip Banking Law, BA (Econ)(Hons), BA (Arts)

Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 7 May 2015.
Location: South Africa

Career summary
Dr Mtoba qualified as a chartered accountant in South Africa and joined Deloitte and Touche in 1988, specialising in financial services. She was one of the first African Black women to be appointed Partner by one of the Big Four accounting firms, and was later appointed Chairperson of Deloitte Southern Africa.
Dr Mtoba is President and founder of TEACH South Africa, which recruits skilled teachers for underprivileged schools. She has held several board positions at organisations focused on economic development and community engagement, including the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Business Foundation and the African Union Foundation. Dr Mtoba has also been President of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants and Business Unity South Africa and chaired the University of Pretoria Council for over 10 years.
Other positions Dr Mtoba has held include being a member of the International Monetary Fund Advisory Group of Sub-Saharan Africa, the World Economic Forum Global Advisory Council, the United Nations Global Compact Board and a Director of the International Women's Forum (South Africa). She has received several awards for contributions to business and society, including Most Outstanding Leadership Women of the Year (Africa Economy Builders, 2018).
External appointments.
Dr Mtoba is a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair of the Public Investment Corporation Limited and Chair of its Audit Committee, a Director of Discovery Bank Holdings Limited and Lead Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of Discovery Bank Limited, a Director of Vumelana Advisory Fund, and a Director of Chapter Zero Southern Africa.
Skills and experience
Dr Mtoba’s tenure as partner and a leader at one of Africa’s predominant financial professional services firms, and the numerous roles she has held in local, regional and international organisations and forums, means that she provides our Board with considerable financial, economic and public policy expertise and leadership. Dr Mtoba brings a strong focus on culture and her expertise in social performance and community and stakeholder engagement are an asset to our Board as it supports our aspiration to contribute social and economic value where we operate.

Ms Jane Nelson

CMG, BSc (Agricultural Economics (Cum Laude)), BA, MA (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)

Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 1 May 2023.
Location: United States of America

Career summary
Ms Nelson has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics (Cum Laude) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.
Ms Nelson has a 30-year career researching and advocating for sustainable business practices and was the founding Director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Corporate Responsibility Initiative, where she is now a senior research fellow. She is a non-resident senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development program at Brookings and a former senior associate of Cambridge University’s Programme for Sustainability Leadership.
Ms Nelson served on ExxonMobil's External Sustainability Advisory Panel from 2010 to 2023, the Independent Advisory Panel to the ICMM’s Resource Endowment Initiative and on advisory councils for other companies, the World Bank Group and the United Nations. She also worked for The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum in the United Kingdom, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in Africa, FUNDES in Latin America and as a Vice President at Citibank working in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
In December 2023, Ms Nelson was appointed a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George in the UK’s Overseas and International Honours List for services to business and to sustainability.
External appointments
Ms Nelson is a Non-Executive Director of NYSE-listed Newmont Mining Corporation (since 2011) and Chair of its Safety and Sustainability Committee.
Ms Nelson is a member of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Future Council on Good Governance, WEF’s Climate Governance Community of Experts and WEF’s Stewardship Council for Food Systems. Ms Nelson is also a Co-Chair of the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality and an Emeritus Director of the World Environment Center.
Skills and experience
Ms Nelson’s career comprises a portfolio of roles across academia as well as international policy, business leadership groups and not-for-profit organisations. She has expertise in sustainable development including in human rights, cultural heritage and Indigenous issues and a significant understanding of climate change and biodiversity issues. Ms Nelson’s strong focus on sustainable development, together with her passion for building partnerships between business, government and civil society, is an asset to our Board given this is at the heart of our purpose and underpins the delivery of our strategy.

Mr Wayne Osborn

Dip Elect Eng, MBA, FTSE

Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 7 May 2015.
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Location: Australia

Career summary
Mr Osborn worked as an engineer in the telecommunications and iron ore industries, before joining Alcoa (Australia) in 1979.
Mr Osborn held several senior management positions with Alcoa over the course of his career, including having accountability for its Asia-Pacific manufacturing operations in China, Japan, Korea and Australia. In 2001 he was appointed Managing Director, leading an integrated business comprised of bauxite mining, alumina refining, coal mining, power generation and aluminium smelting until his retirement in 2008.
Since 2008, Mr Osborn has served as a Non-Executive Director in the mining, energy and construction industries. Most recently, he was a Non-Executive Director of Wesfarmers Limited from March 2010 to October 2021.
Other key roles Mr Osborn has held include Chairman of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Chairman of the Western Australia Branch of the Australia Business Arts Foundation and Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Western Australia. Mr Osborn is also a recipient of the WA Business Leader Award (2007) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors Award for Excellence (2018)
External appointments
None.
Skills and experience
Mr Osborn brings expertise in mining and smelting operations, large-scale capital projects and commodity value chain management to our Board. His broad skills and experience in health and safety management and strong understanding of the key environmental issues, risks and opportunities relevant to our operations, are an asset to our Board as it oversees our commitments to improve our safety performance, our approach to sustainability-related risks and opportunities and how we manage our environmental impact. Mr Osborn’s experience leading large workforces, expertise in overseeing remuneration design and implementation and strong focus on sustainability, make him a highly capable Remuneration Committee Chair.

Ms Sharon Warburton

BBus (Accounting and Business Law), FCA, FAICD

Independent Non-Executive Director, appointed 28 November 2023
Location: Australia

Career summary
Ms Warburton is a chartered accountant with more than 25 years’ experience across the major project infrastructure, property development, and resources industries.
She has previously held executive roles with Brookfield Multiplex, Citigroup, and Rio Tinto, working across Australia, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Ms Warburton’s previous board experience includes as a Director of Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, Gold Road Resources Limited, NEXTDC Limited, Barminco, Western Power, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and Blackmores Limited. Ms Warburton was also a Director of Fortescue Metals Group.
In 2014, Ms Warburton was awarded Western Australia Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
External appointments
Ms Warburton is currently a Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed Northern Star Resources Limited (since 2021), Wesfarmers Limited (since 2019) including Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee, and Worley Limited (since 2019). Ms Warburton is also an Independent Director of Mirvac Funds Management Australia Limited, Thiess Group Holdings Pty Limited and Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation. From May 2015 until April 2024, Ms Warburton was a part-time member of the Takeovers Panel. She is a member of Chief Executive Women and an Adjunct Professor in Leadership and Strategy at the Curtin University School of Business.
Skills and experience
Ms Warburton is a prominent and highly credentialled Director. Her extensive experience in areas of corporate strategy, business operations, accounting and finance, major project construction, risk management and governance contribute to the Board’s broad range of skills and support the delivery of our strategy.

Lead Team

Working under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer, our Lead Team’s role is driving our strategic goals in a way that’s in line with our values, Code of Business Conduct and the risk appetite set by our Board. While each member of the team leads a specific part of the business, they also work as a collective to help us achieve our strategy and purpose.

Graham Kerr BBUS, FCPA

Chief Executive Ofﬁcer and Managing Director

Mr Kerr joined BHP in 1994 and held a wide range of operational and commercial roles across the business, including Chief Financial Officer Stainless Steel Materials, Vice President Finance Diamonds and Finance Director for the BHP Canadian Diamonds Company.
In 2004, Mr Kerr joined Iluka Resources Limited as General Manager Commercial. He returned to BHP in 2006, leading to his appointment as President of Diamonds and Specialty Products where he was accountable for the Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada, Richards Bay Minerals joint venture in South Africa, diamonds exploration in Angola, the Corridor Sands Project in Mozambique and the development of BHP’s potash portfolio in Canada.
Mr Kerr was appointed BHP’s Chief Financial Officer in 2011, a role which he held until 2015 when he left to lead South32 through its demerger from BHP and listing in three countries.

Mr Kerr is a Director of the Fremantle Football Club.

Sandy Sibenaler BCom, MFin, CA, GAICD

Chief Financial Ofﬁcer

Sandy Sibenaler joined South32 in 2021 and became our Chief Financial Officer in April 2023, with responsibility for Financial Reporting, Management Reporting, Treasury, Business Evaluation, Tax, Investor Relations and Group Assurance. Prior to this role, Sandy was our Vice President Finance.

Sandy has more than 20 years of treasury, finance and commercial experience in the resources sector. Prior to joining South32, she held a number of senior finance and commercial roles at Woodside and BHP including Vice President of Treasury and Insurance, General Manager Logistics and Finance Reporting Manager.
Sandy holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia, a Master of Finance from Kaplan Business School, is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Noel Pillay NHDP Mech Eng

Chief Operating Ofﬁcer, Southern Africa and Colombia

Noel Pillay became our Chief Operating Officer in October 2021 and is responsible for our operations in Southern Africa and Colombia.
Prior to this role, Noel was Vice President Operations at Worsley Alumina where he was responsible for the operation’s safety, production and cost performance. Before his time at Worsley Alumina, Noel was Vice President Operations at Hillside Aluminium in South Africa.

Before joining South32, Noel worked for BHP from 1994 as a Maintenance Engineer at Hillside Aluminium and has held several leadership roles in Maintenance, Production, Business Improvement and Human Resources in South Africa and Australia.

Noel is a trained Mechanical Engineer and holds a National Higher Diploma from the University of Johannesburg.

Vanessa Torres BSc (Chemical), MEng, DEng

Chief Operating Officer, Australia

Vanessa Torres became our Chief Operating Officer in March 2024 and is responsible for Worsley Alumina, Cannington and Australia Manganese. She joined South32 in 2018 as our Chief Technology Officer, and her role was broadened to Chief Technical Officer in 2020

Before joining South32, Vanessa was Vice President Operational Infrastructure for BHP Western Australia Iron Ore. She has over 30 years of global mining experience across Australia, Canada, Brazil, Peru and New Caledonia, and has held various senior roles at BHP and Vale in strategy, operations, projects and business development. Her multi-commodity experience spans base metals, bulk materials, battery minerals and precious metals.
Vanessa holds Doctorate and Master degrees in Minerals Engineering from the University of Sao Paulo, and a Bachelor of Science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. She was a Visiting Scholar at the University of British Columbia, Canada, where her research focused on the application of artificial intelligence to the mining industry. Vanessa is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Erwin Schaufler MSc Mag.rer.soc.oec

Chief Technical Ofﬁcer

Erwin Schaufler became our Chief Technical Officer in March 2024, with responsibility for Technology, Innovation, Business Optimisation, Global Business Services, Capital Projects, Planning, Health, Safety, Environment and Technical Stewardship.
Prior to this role, Erwin held various leadership roles at Worsley Alumina for more than six years including Vice President Operations and General Manager Refinery. Before his time at Worsley Alumina, Erwin played a key role in the establishment of the Marketing function when South32 was formed in 2015 and led the design and implementation of a revised Marketing strategy.

Before joining South32 Erwin worked at BHP for eight years, firstly in the Technology team where he held various senior roles before joining Marketing in distribution and supply chain in 2011.
Erwin holds a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, a Magister rerum socialium oeconomicarumque (Master of Business Administration) from Vienna University of Economics and Business, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD.

Katie Tovich BCom, CA, GAICD

Chief Human Resources and Commercial Officer

Katie Tovich joined South32 in 2015 and became our Chief Human Resources and Commercial Officer in April 2023, with responsibility for our Human Resources, Marketing and Supply functions. Katie was our Chief Financial Officer from May 2019 to March 2023 and prior to this role, was Vice President Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, as well as Head of Treasury.

Katie brings more than 30 years of global experience in the resources sector. Before joining South32, she held senior finance and marketing roles at BHP in Australia and Asia, including Vice President Corporate Finance, Head of Finance Worsley Alumina and Vice President Finance Marketing – Carbon Steel Materials. Earlier in her mining career, she held finance and marketing leadership positions at WMC Resources Limited in Australia and North America.
Katie holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania, is a Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Kelly O'Rourke LLB, BCom, MAICD

Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer

Kelly O’Rourke was appointed to the Lead Team in November 2020 and is our Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer, with responsibility for Legal, Company Secretariat, Business Integrity, Communications, Community, Government and Sustainability Strategy.
Kelly joined South32 in 2016 as Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations. She previously worked at BHP for nine years where she held senior roles in Legal, Business Development, Mergers and Acquisitions and the Office of the Chief Executive.

Kelly has more than 20 years of experience in the mining industry across legal, commercial, business development, mergers and acquisitions, external affairs and community roles across Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Laws (Distinction) from The University of Western Australia, a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Simon Collins BE (Mining), MBA

Chief Development Officer

Simon Collins has been our Chief Development Officer since October 2018. He is responsible for Exploration, Corporate Development, Brazil Alumina, Brazil Aluminium and Sierra Gorda.
Simon has 30 years of experience in the resources industry in senior leadership, commercial and business development roles. Before joining South32, he worked for BHP for more than a decade, providing leadership to commercial and business development teams in Australia, Africa and the Americas. He began his career in mine operations in Australia and then South Africa.

Simon holds a Master of Business Administration from London Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from the University of New South Wales.

Our Board and Lead Team

Board of Directors

Ms Karen Wood

Mr Graham Kerr

Mr Frank Cooper AO

Dr Xiaoling Liu

Mr Carlos Mesquita

Dr Ntombifuthi (Futhi) Mtoba

Ms Jane Nelson

Mr Wayne Osborn

Ms Sharon Warburton

Lead Team

Graham Kerr BBUS, FCPA

Sandy Sibenaler BCom, MFin, CA, GAICD

Noel Pillay NHDP Mech Eng

Vanessa Torres BSc (Chemical), MEng, DEng

Erwin Schaufler MSc Mag.rer.soc.oec

Katie Tovich BCom, CA, GAICD

Kelly O'Rourke LLB, BCom, MAICD

Simon Collins BE (Mining), MBA

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