The world’s biggest miner BHP and Australia’s largest energy producer Woodside Energy have announced the appointment of their new bosses.
From July, Brandon Craig will take over the role as BHP’s chief executive officer from Mike Henry, who has been in the top job since 2020.
Having been with the Melbourne-based company since 1999, Mr Craig currently holds the role of President Americas, leading the growth strategy for future-facing commodities such as copper and lithium, according to BHP’s statement.
During Mr Craig’s time in the role, the company became the world’s largest copper producer, BHP’s board said.
Brandon Craig will assume the top leadership role at BHP in July after being promoted from within. (ABC News: Rachel Pupazzoni)
The newly-appointed CEO will receive an annual base salary of $US1.9 million ($2.67 million).
He’s also offered 10 per cent of his base salary for superannuation, with eligibility for significant bonuses, depending on performance.
Under BHP’s incentive schemes, Mr Craig could earn up to 3.6 times his base salary from cash and shares — plus have his salary doubled each year if he achieves his performance targets.
Compared to his predecessor, Mr Craig would still earn far less with all bonuses secured.
Mr Henry earned $19 million in “realised pay” last financial year, making him the sixth-highest paid CEO of an Australian-listed company, as the ASX 200 has shown.
BHP is one of Australia’s biggest companies by market value. (Reuters: Hollie Adams)
The leadership change came one day after a joint copper mining venture between BHP and Rio Tinto was approved by the US Federal Court.
The companies sought to acquire the land in Arizona from the US Forest Service, but were blocked by the court following a challenge from Native Americans and environmental groups.
The decision drew the ire of US President Donald Trump, who described both the court and the activists as “anti-American” and being on the “Radical Left”.
Woodside new boss
Meanwhile, Perth-based Woodside Energy has named Elizabeth Westcott as its ongoing CEO and managing director.
Liz Westcott was named Woodside’s acting CEO in December and has now been appointed permanently. (ABC News: Verity Gorman)
Ms Westcott has been serving as the company’s acting CEO since Meg O’Neill’s departure for BP last December.
Since joining the company in June 2023, Ms Westcott has led Woodside’s Australian Operations, including the Scarborough Energy Project and Bass Strait operator transition, the company said in a statement to the ASX.
Meg O’Neill resigns as Woodside CEO to join BP
She was previously the Chief Operating Officer at EnergyAustralia, following a 25-year career at ExxonMobil working in Australia, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Ms Westcott’s “fixed annual reward” (FAR) will be $2.3 million, which includes base salary, benefits and allowances, statutory minimum superannuation contributions, and directors fees.
She is also eligible for substantial performance-based bonuses, including a short-term incentive, valued at up to 2.7 times her FAR, and a long-term opportunity, valued at up to three times her FAR.
Woodside says Ms Westcott is taking over as CEO at a “significant moment in its history”. (ABC News: David Weber)
The energy giant had a major win in September 2025 after the Environmental Protection Authority approved a 40-year extension to its North West Shelf gas project off the northern WA coast.
