Roy Hill appoints new CEO

Roy Hill Holdings has announced a new leadership structure, with Barry Fitzgerald taking a board role and Gerhard Veldsman being promoted to chief executive.

Mr Fitzgerald will be appointed to the Roy Hill board as a representative for majority owner, Hancock Prospecting.

In addition, Mr Fitzgerald will be appointed to the board of Hope Downs, Hancock’s joint venture with Rio Tinto.

These changes will occur on July 1 2021.

Roy Hill executive chairman Gina Rinehart congratulated Mr Fitzgerald on his contribution to the company and its iron ore mining project.

“We are very pleased to retain Barry’s extensive industry and company knowledge as he moves across to Hancock Prospecting where he will represent the company on the Roy Hill and Hope Downs boards and also take responsibility for a range of major development projects using his considerable experience in the iron ore industry to drive growth and future value for the group,” Mrs Rinehart said.  

Mr Fitzgerald said Roy Hill was a truly unique and once-in-a-career project to work on.

“I congratulate and wish Gerhard well on his appointment and am looking forward to working with him closely on the transition in the short term and in the longer term as a board director,” he said.

Roy Hill has announced two further changes.

Anthony Kirke, who is currently head of the company's Autonomous Haulage System project (AHS), will become chief operating officer.

Diederik Lugtigheid will join the company in June as project director AHS. He is currently vice-president, product support and AHS support centre for Komatsu in Chile.