Lilleyman appointed Rio technology chief

Rio Tinto's former Pilbara iron ore president, Greg Lilleyman, has been promoted to group executive technology and innovation, just four months after he was made head of productivity improvement.

Mr Lilleyman has worked for Rio for 23 years since joining the miner as a fly-in, fly-out worker and served as head of the company's Pilbara iron ore operations for several years.

He was appointed head of productivity improvement in August this year, overseeing all aspects of productivity across the company.

"I'm delighted Greg will be joining my executive committee and I know from having worked with Greg for a number of years that he will make a valuable contributor to my senior team," Rio chief executive Sam Walsh said.

"His task will be to ensure that Rio Timto remains at the forefront of developing and deploying sector leading technologies that change the way we look at mineral deposits, make our operations safer, help us manage costs and respond to environmental imperatives."

Mr Lilleyman will take his new role from January 1 next year, replacing Preston Chiaro who will retire at the end of March.