Rio Tinto has appointed Simon McKeon, another Australian citizen as an independent non-executive director. McKeon joins the board on 1 January 2019.
“Simon’s appointment further strengthens the Australian contingent on the board and his extensive experience of the Australian business and political environment as well as civil society, will bring invaluable insight in relation to Australia, home to some of Rio Tinto’s key assets,” said Simon Thompson, Rio Tinto chairman.
According to the company, McKeon brings a wealth of experience gained from various leadership positions across financial services, legal, charity and government sectors.
Mckeon’s biography indicates that after qualifying as a solicitor, he spent 30 years at Macquarie Group, culminating in his role as Executive Chairman of its business in the State of Victoria, Australia.
Over that time, he advised clients across a wide range of natural resources and industrial companies, as well as the consumer and financial services sectors.
He also advised the Australian Government on the formation of, and served as the first President of, the Australian Takeovers Panel.
Currently he is Chancellor of Monash University, a Non-Executive Director of Spotless Group and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mckeon has previously served as Chairman of AMP Limited and the Australian Government’s principal research and development body, CSIRO.
