BHP Billiton has announced the appointment of Ian Ashby (left), president and chief operating officer, Western Australian Iron Ore, to the BHP Billiton executive committee. The announcement comes as BHP Billiton separate the management of its extensive production and development activities in Western Australia from its iron ore development activities in other regions. Mr Ashby succeeded former division president Graeme Hunt earlier this year and will continue to be based in Perth, reporting to group president of carbon steel materials Chris Lynch.