Gooding moves to FFI
Fortescue Future Industries has hired Minderoo Foundation deputy chief executive Felicity Gooding as commercial general manager amid leadership changes at the company.
Fortescue’s green energy arm, Fortescue Future Industries, has hired Minderoo Foundation deputy chief executive Felicity Gooding as commercial general manager amid leadership changes at the company.
Ms Gooding has worked at Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s charity, Minderoo Foundation, since 2014, in roles including chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
Prior to joining the foundation, Ms Gooding worked at the Forrests' private company, Tattarang.
Earlier in her career, she also worked at Fortescue Metals Group, the iron ore company Mr Forrest founded.
Mr Forrest, who is also Minderoo Foundation's co-chair, said Ms Gooding was the quiet achiever behind the work being done at the charity and Tattarang.
“She has done an outstanding job for the foundation but also on the commercial side at Minderoo Group, now known as Tattarang,” Dr Forrest said.
“Flic is an accountant by trade and by joining FFI she is going back to her commercial roots, having worked closely with me on debt fundraisings to deliver Fortescue’s expansion from 45 million tonnes per annum to 155mtpa early last decade."
Ms Gooding said it was exciting to join a company transforming heavy industry and changing the way the world operates.
“Business can be the great instrument of positive and transformative change in the world,” she said.
"I feel privileged to be able to work with the company that is working relentlessly to provide a solution to the global climate disaster and to drive Australia’s economic growth.
“I come from a business background and have always been attracted to startups and entrepreneurialism, so FFI is a natural home.”
Ms Gooding will start her new role on March 1.
Her move to FFI comes as the green energy company undergoes extensive leadership changes.
FFI director of energy Rob Grant, commercial manager Bethwyn Cowcher and manager of global resources Nadia Butler have recently left the company.
As the company grows, it is adding new positions to its management teams, including appointing Stan Knez as FFI’s chief technology officer.
Similar changes have also been made at Fortescue.
In February, Fortescue group manager legal Gemma Tually replaced Alison Terry as company secretary. Ms Terry also resigned from her role as director, sustainability and corporate affairs.
Before Christmas, Ms Gaines said she was leaving her role as chief executive but would remain at the company as global GH2 and brand ambassador.
Her news followed the departure of director of operations Fernando Pereira and group manager of health and safety Rob Watson in September.
At the time, it was also announced that director of community, environment and government, Tim Langmead, was serving an extended notice period.
Several new senior hires started in September.
Dino Otranto became chief operating officer iron ore and Warren Fish was appointed director Aboriginal engagement, community and government.
The company also promoted several people including Catherine Bozanich to group manager sustainability and Adam Meyer to director health safety and environment.
Early in 2021, chief operating officer Greg Lilleyman, director projects Don Hyma and director Iron Bridge Manie McDonald resigned from the company.
At the time, Ms Gained linked the resignations to the Fortescue's culture and values.
Yesterday, in response to questions from analysts, Ms Gaines said the company did not need a review into its culture.
She said the changes in staffing were due to people having been at Fortescue for a long time and strong demand for talent across the resources sector.
Fortescue released its half-yearly results yesterday which showed the company took a 32 per cent hit to profit.
It reduced its dividend to 86 cents at the end of March, 41 per cent less than the $1.47 payment shareholders received at the same time last year.
