New bosses for BHP and Woodside

THE FORMER boss of BHP’s West Australian iron ore business, Brandon Craig, has been appointed CEO and a director of the company.

Mr Craig will succeed current CEO, Mike Henry, on 1 July when Mr Henry steps down after six-and-a-half years in the role.

In another executive move the Board of Woodside Energy has appointed Elizabeth (Liz) Westcott as chief executive officer and managing director.

Ms Westcott has been serving as Woodside acting CEO since the departure of Meg O’Neill in December 2025.

With more than 30 years in the global energy industry, Ms Westcott joined Woodside in June 2023.

She has led Woodside’s Australian Operations, including the Scarborough Energy Project and Bass Strait operator transition, as executive vice president and chief operating officer Australia.

With more than 25 years of operational and corporate leadership experience at BHP Mr Craig is currently BHP’s president Americas, leading the company’s growth strategy in future-facing commodities across Canada, the United States and South America.

“Prior to this, Brandon led our Western Australia Iron Ore business, improving operational performance and increasing BHP’s lead as the lowest cost, highest margin major iron ore producer in the world,” the release said.

Mr Craig said Mr Henry will be remembered for his strategic decision-making, portfolio transformation, operational excellence and focus on safety and high-performance culture.

“As incoming CEO, I am committed to leading the talented and hard-working people who make BHP a great company and continuing to generate long-term value for all our shareholders,” Mr Craig said.

“I will work tirelessly with the Board and management to achieve this. I look forward to continuing to take this great company forward.”

Having joined BHP in 1999, Brandon Craig has built more than 25 years of corporate and operational leadership experience across a diverse portfolio of commodities. Brandon has been BHP’s president Americas since March 2024. In this role, he has responsibility for much of BHP’s growth strategy including in Canada, the United States and South America.

“Brandon has advanced BHP’s high-quality growth options, increasing copper guidance for FY2026 and FY2027 and targeting around 2.5 million tonnes of copper equivalent production per year by the mid-2030s,” the release said.

“Under Brandon’s leadership, Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, has extended its grade and production guidance through productivity improvements and a focus on operational excellence.

“Brandon has overseen the creation of the Vicuña joint venture, a highly prospective project with the potential to be one of the world’s top copper and gold mines, as well as oversight of non-operated joint ventures in Brazil, Peru and the United States.

“BHP’s Jansen potash project in Canada is on track to begin operations in mid-2027. This will be a significant new business for BHP which diversifies its portfolio and brings in a commodity with strong long-term fundamentals.

“Prior to this, Brandon led our Western Australia Iron Ore business, improving operational performance and increasing BHP’s lead as the lowest cost, highest margin major iron ore producer in the world. This demonstrated Brandon’s ability to deliver strong performance across an integrated business of mines, rail and port operations.

Woodside’s Liz Westcott was previously the chief operations officer at EnergyAustralia, following a 25-year career at ExxonMobil working in Australia, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Ms Westcott said she was honoured to lead Woodside. “Woodside is a great company with highly talented people and a proud track record of delivery for our customers and stakeholders. “My focus as CEO is on sustainable value creation for Woodside shareholders, operational excellence and disciplined execution of our growth projects.”