BHP eyes Geraldine Slattery as CEO, FT reports

BHP (ASX, NYSE, LSE: BHP) could appoint Geraldine Slattery, president of its Australia operations, as the company’s first female chief executive in its 140-year history, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

If appointed, Slattery would join a short list of women to lead a major global mining company. One of the most notable was Cynthia Carroll, who became the first woman to head Anglo American (LSE: AAL) in 2007, serving until 2012.

BHP CEO Mike Henry is expected to step down by mid-2026 after five years in the role, according to the FT report, which cited people familiar with the board’s thinking. BHP has said its directors are “not in a rush” to name his successor.

The appointment will mark one of the first major decisions under Ross McEwan, who became BHP’s chair in March. The former CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland and National Australia Bank has been leading the search for Henry’s replacement.

BHP didn’t immediately reply to an email from The Northern Miner Group sent outside the Australian company’s regular business hours seeking comment on Slattery’s candidacy for CEO. 

Other candidates

Names said to be under consideration include BHP chief financial officer Vandita Pant, chief commercial officer Ragnar Udd, and Brandon Craig, who oversees the group’s Americas division.

Slattery has been with BHP for more than 30 years, holding senior roles across its global operations. She previously managed the company’s U.S. petroleum arm and led its move into shale before heading BHP Petroleum.

Originally from Ireland, Slattery moved to Australia in the 1990s. She first worked with CSL, the blood plasma company, before starting her long career with BHP.

If appointed, she would join the small number of women leading major mining companies. Among them are Mpumi Zikalala, chief executive at South Africa’s Kumba Iron Ore, and Mfikeyi Makayi, who runs KoBold Metals’ Zambian copper operations.