The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) has appointed Simon Trott as its new president.
Trott has been with Rio Tinto for over 20 years in a variety of operating, commercial and business development roles across a range of commodities.
Prior to his current role as Rio’s iron ore chief executive in WA, Trott was Rio’s chief commercial officer from 2018 to 2021.
“CME has a proud history of advocacy for WA’s resources industry and I’m looking forward to helping drive the organisation’s strategic direction over the next few years, working closely with Rebecca, the executive council and the team,” Trott said.
“The development of WA’s natural resources continues to underpin the prosperity of our state and our nation. In 2022–23 the sector supported three in 10 West Australian jobs, 15,508 local businesses and 1,312 community organisations.
“It also contributes one third of WA Government’s general revenue and 20 per cent of federal corporate income taxes, supporting the delivery of public goods and services from which the whole community benefits.”
CME chief executive officer Rebecca Tomkinson welcomed Trott to the role at CME’s 123rd annual general meeting.
“Simon’s involvement with CME on our advisory board and executive committee has highlighted his experience and knowledge as a leader and industry professional in the mining and resources sector,” Tomkinson said.
“He takes on the presidency at a time of great opportunity and challenges for the sector as we head into state and federal election cycles. It’s a highly pivotal leadership role and one that’s instrumental in holding policy makers to account on behalf of industry.”
Trott succeeds Brandon Craig, who stepped down as CME president to take on the role of BHP president of Americas.
“Brandon’s leadership roles with BHP over more than 20 years have been incredibly diverse. Those wide-ranging skills were an asset to his role as CME’s president, a role he approached with characteristic rigour and passion,” Tomkinson said.
“We wish him every success in his new appointment.”
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