BHP rejigs iron ore management

BHP Billiton has appointed company insider Chris Campbell to head its lucrative iron ore division.

Mr Campbell will take over from Ian Ashby, who is moving to a more senior role as chief executive of BHP's $US116 billion iron ore joint venture with Rio Tinto in the Pilbara.

Mr Campbell has been with BHP Billiton for 20 years and has experience in marketing, business development and project management, including leading of the integration of the former WMC Resources Ltd into BHP Billiton.

Since June 2009, Mr Campbell has been leading the BHP Billiton Project Office for the Western Australia iron ore production joint venture with Rio Tinto, with responsibility for co-ordinating the delivery of the joint venture and preparing for the integration of the businesses for BHP Billiton.

His appointment will become effective as Mr Ashby's workload in connection to the Rio Tinto joint venture increases, expected in coming months.

BHP Billiton is the world's largest resources company, with the iron ore division one of the main profit drivers.

As president of BHP's iron ore division, Mr Campbell will be in charge of operations in Brazil, West Africa and marketing of the company's share of the WA joint venture with Rio Tinto.

BHP's chief of ferrous and coal, Marcus Randolph, said Mr Campbell's previous roles and deep history in the group would make him invaluable in his new position.

"I am delighted to have Chris on the team and believe that this structure will give additional focus to our non-Western Australia iron ore assets," Mr Randolph said.

Mr Campbell will be based in Perth, reporting to Mr Randolph.

At 1151 AEDT shares in BHP Billiton were up 50 cents, or 1.26 per cent, at $40.05.