How BHP’s New CEO Will Deliver on Global Economic Goals

The Board of BHP has announced the appointment of Brandon Craig as CEO, effective from 1 July 2026. Brandon will succeed previous CEO Mike Henry, after six and a half years in the role.

Brandon has served as the President of BHP Americas since March 2024 and has been with the company for more than two decades. As President, he is currently responsible for the company’s growth strategy in future facing commodities across Canada, the US and South America.

During Brandon’s time at the company, BHP has become the world’s largest copper producer and advanced growth options in copper and potash.

Prior to this, Brandon led BHP’s Western Australian Iron Ore business where he enhanced operational performance and placed BHP in the lead as the lowest cost, highest margin major iron ore producer in the world.

Discussing his succession, Brandon says: “As incoming CEO, I am committed to leading the talented and hard-working people who make BHP a great company and continuing to generate long-term value for all our shareholders.

“I will work tirelessly with the Board and management to achieve this. I look forward to continuing to take this great company forward.”

Informing BHP’s growth approach

The succession comes after BHP’s announcement in February that copper contributed the largest share of its profit for the first time ever, marking the first time it surpassed iron ore.

The company plans to move away from resources like coal and towards copper mining, a more eco-friendly alternative production method.

Global demand for copper is predicted to grow to 70% by 2050, driven by areas like electric vehicles and data centre production.

Brandon says that he plans to keep BHP as a diversified miner and would focus growth across copper, iron ore, potash and coal, but did not rule out mergers or acquisitions.

Mike oversaw BHP’s growth as a leading copper producer and prioritised safety and high-performance culture during his time as CEO.

“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of BHP and to have worked with so many truly talented people... BHP is a safer and higher performing company and is better positioned for future growth,” Mike adds.

“We are creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, our supply chain, partners and our communities. Brandon is an excellent choice as CEO, and I wish him every success in the role.”

Mike’s prior achievements in leadership, partnered with BHP’s soon to be commissioned potash mine, leaves the company well-placed to deliver on high-margin growth going forward.

Improving business relationships

Brandon says BHP’s key focus would need to be on enhancing relationships with governments and customers, noting BHP’s recent financial disagreement with China’s Mineral Resources Group, which saw the company ban its steel mills from purchasing some of BHP’s products.

“I do think it's really, really important that we continue to strengthen the relationships with our customers, particularly in China,” Brandon says.

Despite global business tensions, the mining sector has received support from western governments as mineral demand for new forms of energy and defence industries grows. 

Brandon adds: “The importance of mining to the economic ambition of security of nations around the world has never been more important or so well understood.”

Following the company’s success in achieving industry-leading status, average annual shareholder returns amounted to 17%, with the firm returning approximately US$80bn to investors.

Brandon notes his focus on organic growth across the company’s core commodities and plans to remain cautious when taking on new deals, saying that any mergers or acquisitions “would have to be incredibly compelling” to compete with BHP’s existing options.

BHP Chair, Ross McEwan, highlights his optimism over Brandon’s growth strategy, saying: “I am confident that [Brandon’s] discipline and focus will continue to drive BHP’s high-performance culture and advance the company’s unrivalled pipeline of growth options to maximise shareholder returns.”