Stewart Butel has worked in the coal mining industry in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. He joined Wesfarmers in 2000 following Wesfarmers' acquisition of the Curragh mine. In June 2002 he was appointed Managing Director of Wesfarmers Premier Coal and in April 2005 became Director Coal Operations for Wesfarmers Energy. Stewart was appointed Managing Director of Wesfarmers Resources (formerly Wesfarmers Coal) in September 2006.