Rio Tinto has appointed Jakob Stausholm as chief executive, effective January 1 when current chief executive and executive director, J-S Jacques, will step down from his role. Jacques will leave the group on March 31.
Stausholm joined Rio Tinto as an executive director and chief financial officer in 2018. He is an experienced global executive, with 25 years in leadership roles in capital intensive and service industries across Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, he was group chief financial officer and strategy and transformation officer of A.P. Moeller–Maersk A/S.
Rio Tinto Chairman Simon Thompson said Stausholm has also demonstrated the ability to build effective relationships and has a strong personal commitment to the role of business in promoting sustainable development.
“Rio Tinto’s purpose is to produce the materials essential to human progress and I remain deeply committed to this after the difficult times we have faced during 2020,” Jakob Stausholm said. “I look forward to leading Rio Tinto and working with my colleagues across the business to ensure that we maintain strong safety, operational and financial performance, while progressing our growth, sustainability and technology strategies.
“I am also acutely aware of the need to restore trust with Traditional Owners and our other stakeholders, which I view as a key priority for the company.”
As a result of Stausholm’s appointment, Peter Cunningham will be appointed interim chief financial officer. He was previously group controller for Rio Tinto and has held a number of senior finance and leadership roles across Rio Tinto in a career spanning 27 years with the company.
