Sydney/Melbourne — Mining giant BHP on Friday named successful packaging executive Ken MacKenzie as its next chairman, handing him the job of tackling calls to dump its oil business and overhaul the board. MacKenzie, 53, succeeds Jac Nasser as of September 1 at a time when the world’s biggest miner is being challenged by activist shareholders to revamp its structure and improve returns. Investors welcomed the appointment of MacKenzie, who said he plans to meet shareholders in coming weeks to listen to their views. He was seen as one of Australia’s most successful chief executives in his 10 years running Amcor. "It’s an important first step in the right direction. Hopefully it creates a platform to be able to review what’s amiss with the company in the eyes of some and address the concerns," said Brenton Saunders, an analyst at BT Investment Management, which owns shares in BHP. Canadian-born MacKenzie presided over a long stretch of prosperity at Amcor, which makes packaging for foo...
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