Hayward confirmed as Glencore chairman

Tony Hayward, Glencore chairman

[miningmx.com] – GLENCORE Xstrata unveiled Tony Hayward as its permanent chairman confirming speculation in the Daily Telegraph today that the Swiss headquartered group had plumped for the former BP CEO.

Hayward is currently interim chairman for Glencore Xstrata after first being appointed to the board in April 2011 ahead of its listing in London. He was the senior independent director until May 2013 whereafter he was appointed interim chairman.

Said Peter Grauer, Chairman of Glencore’s nomination committee: “Over the last twelve months, Tony has provided exemplary leadership of the board and proved himself to be the outstanding candidate to take on the role permanently”. Grauer said the search for a chairman had been “extensive”.

Hayward follows Sir John Bond who resigned from the board chairmanship whilst it was in the throes of creating the $65bn Glencore Xstrata merger in 2013.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Hayward won out in a short list that included Roger Agnelli, the former head of Brazilian miner Vale, and Sir Frank Chapman, the former BG Group CEO.

Hayward is expected to resign as CEO of Genel Energy within a year or two as a result of the new appointment as he makes the transition to permanent chairman of Glencore Xstrata, the Daily Telegraph said.

The appointment recognises Hayward’s return to top-flight business activity following his resignation from BP in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in April 2010, said the Daily Telegraph.