BHP Executive Rag Udd to Leave Miner After Missing Out on CEO Role
Synopsis
BHP Chief Commercial Officer Rag Udd will leave in January 2027 after missing out on the CEO role, creating a key leadership vacancy amid complex China iron ore negotiations.
BHP’s Chief Commercial Officer Rag Udd will leave the mining giant at the end of January 2027, months after missing out on the company’s top job to fellow long-serving executive Brandon Craig.
BHP said Udd will depart to pursue an opportunity outside the company.
He joined BHP in 1997 and has spent almost three decades across operational, commercial and leadership roles, most recently serving as chief commercial officer since March 2024.
His departure leaves one of BHP’s most important commercial positions open as the miner prepares for further negotiations with China over iron ore pricing.
Udd Leaves After Losing CEO Succession Race
Udd had been viewed by analysts and investors as one of the leading internal candidates to succeed former CEO Mike Henry. The board ultimately selected Craig, who became CEO on July 1 after previously leading BHP’s Americas division.
Craig acknowledged Udd’s contribution, saying he had strengthened BHP’s commercial capabilities, relationships across key markets and positioned the company for future opportunities. BHP said it will announce a new chief commercial officer in the coming months.
Udd previously led BHP’s Americas business from 2020 to 2024, overseeing major growth projects including the Jansen potash development in Canada and investments across Chilean copper operations.
China Talks Add Pressure to Leadership Change
His exit comes as BHP faces increasingly complex negotiations with China Mineral Resources Group, the state-backed buyer representing Chinese steelmakers in iron ore purchasing discussions.
Those negotiations became particularly tense last year, with several Chinese steel mills temporarily banned from buying BHP products before an agreement was reached in April. Reuters reported that iron ore producers expect future negotiations to become more difficult, making the appointment of Udd’s successor an important priority for Craig.
BHP shares fell 3.3% to A$64.61 at 2pm AEST on Wednesday.
Udd’s departure also marks the end of one of the longest executive careers at BHP. By the time he leaves, he will have spent nearly 30 years with the miner, having worked across coal, manganese, iron ore, copper and potash.
Source: Capital Brief
Vishal is an experienced Editor at Inspirepreneur Magazine with key interests in artificial intelligence, eCommerce, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and startup sector. Prior to joining Inspirepreneur, he was a Content Writer cum Correspondent at Siliconindia Magazine, where he worked on Company Profiles, Cover Stories, Executive Profiles, Feature Articles and Thought Leadership content.
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