SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
February 24, 2010
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Commission File Number
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Translation of registrant's name into English; Address of principal executive offices
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BHP Billiton Limited (ABN 49 004 028 077)
180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA |
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BHP Billiton Plc (REG. NO. 3196209)
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will
file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-.
NEWS RELEASE CHAIRMAN SUCCESSION DATE The BHP Billiton Board today announced that Mr Don Argus AC will retire as Chairman and a Non-executive Director on 30 March 2010. As previously announced, Non-executive Director, Jac Nasser AO, will assume the role of Chairman of BHP Billiton from that date. Mr Nasser said, "The Board wishes to pay special tribute to the immense contribution Don Argus has made to BHP Billiton over many years of dedicated service. In the thirteen years since he joined the BHP Board, and particularly over his ten years as Chairman, Don has led BHP Billiton to the distinctive leadership role in its sector. Mr Argus said, "I want to sincerely thank our shareholders for their support. It has always been my underpinning principle to respect shareholders as the owners of the company, as it is to them I have been accountable for the governance and performance of BHP Billiton. It has been an outstanding highlight in my life, and an extraordinary privilege, to serve as Chairman." From 30 March 2010, Mr Nasser will discontinue executive management responsibilities with One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JP Morgan, and continue in an advisory and non-executive role. He will also remain a Director on British Sky Broadcasting Plc and a member of the International Advisory Council of Allianz AG. “The succession process has facilitated a seamless transition. My priority commitment will be the Chairmanship of BHP Billiton duly recognising the challenges of a dual listed company structure and the requirements to represent the interests of all shareholders in our key markets,” Mr Nasser concluded. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com Australia Amanda Buckley, Media Relations Kelly Quirke, Media Relations Leng Lau, Investor Relations United Kingdom & South Africa Illtud Harri, Media Relations Americas Ruban Yogarajah, Media Relations Members of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in Australia
Release Time IMMEDIATE
Date 24 February 2010
Number 08/10
“Don will be remembered for being instrumental in transforming and truly internationalising BHP through the merger with Billiton to become BHP Billiton, the world's largest diversified resources dual listed company. Shareholders, employees and, in fact, all stakeholders with an interest in this business have benefited from his Chairmanship. He introduced leading corporate governance practices, an active approach to institutional and retail shareholder engagement and built a multi skilled and diversified Board supported by a first class management team. This has seen an increase in market capitalisation of BHP Billiton from US$31 billion in 2001 to US$190 billion today, operating 100 assets in over 25 countries."
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 2209 Mobile: +61 419 801 349
email: Amanda.Buckley@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312
email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 403 533 706
email: Leng.Y.Lau@bhpbilliton.com
Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
email: Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK +44 20 7802 4033
Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: Neathouse Place
London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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BHP Billiton Limited (ABN 49 004 028 077) | ||
| Date : February 24, 2010 | By: | /s/ Jane McAloon | |
| Name: | Jane McAloon | ||
| Title: | Group Company Secretary | ||