Saturday, May 25, 2013

Anglo reshuffles board, appoints CFO








James Assan 








ANGLOGOLD Ashanti has shuffled its executive team in an attempt to streamline its business, with changes ahead for its Australian division.

Richard Duffy has been appointed as chief financial officer, replacing former CFO Srinivasan Venkatakrishnanm, who has been promoted to chief executive officer.

In addition, Duffy, who has been with AngloGold since its inception in 1998, will be made an executive director of the company.

Duffy, who is executive vice-president of Continental Africa, held an EVP role in business development from 2004-08 and was accountable for merger and acquisition activity as well as greenfields exploration.

He began his career with Anglo American in 1987.

Other changes to the company’s leadership structure were announced, with the new executive committee structure aimed at streamlining the business to deliver long-term benefits to shareholders.

The changes include bringing the company’s operations under a joint chief operating officer model, with Ron Largent taking on the role of co-COO while Mike O’Hare will retain his leadership role of the South African operations as co-COO.

Largent’s role will see him combine his current responsibilities under his Americas portfolio with the Continental African operations and Australian operations once the Tropicana gold project in Western Australia comes online later this year.

Largent will head his team with the goal of removing $US500 million ($A509.2 million) from AngloGold’s operating cost base within 18 months.

AngloGold said by linking the groups operating regions under two COO’s, decision making and integration would be more seamless while maintaining strong technical checks and government oversight.

The shuffle will see Venkatakrishnan lead a team of nine executives, down from 12.

Venkatakrishnan said the streamlined structure played to each individual’s strengths.

“These leadership changes … will ensure a seamless transition period as the business is reorganised and management continues to act aggressively on its strategy to maximise sustainable free cashflow from a high-quality portfolio, while maintaining the integrity of the business, which is especially important in these difficult times,” he said.

The changes to be completed by the third quarter will also see Charles Carter transition the Colombia business to Largent, and will take on the role of EVP of strategy and business development. He will also deputise for the CEO in his absence.

Meanwhile, David Noko will continue as sustainable development EVP, while Italia Boninelli will continue as people and organisation development EVP.

Graham Ehm will continue to lead the company’s Australian arm until Largent takes over the Sunrise Dam and Tropicana operations.

Ria Sanz takes on the role of EVP in addition to her current position as group general counsel and company secretary while Yedwa Simelane becomes EVP of stakeholder relations and marketing.

AngloGold said strategy and business planning EVP Michael MacFarlane had decided to return to Canada to be with his family.

The company produced 899,000 ounces of gold in the March quarter and was targeting 900,000-950,000oz in the June quarter.

Shares in Anglo were unchanged at $A3.62 after gaining 2.3% in yesterday’s trade.

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