If you've been buying BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares this past year, you're likely sitting on some healthy gains.
Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed on Tuesday trading for $49.73. That sees the share price up 25.5% over 12 months, racing ahead of the 9.6% gains delivered by the benchmark index over this same time.
And that doesn't include the $1.958 in full franked dividends the miner has paid out (or shortly will pay out) over the full year. BHP shares currently trade on a fully franked dividend yield of 3.9%.
Now all of this performance came under the guidance of CEO Mike Henry.
In fact, during his six-and-a-half-year tenure, total shareholder returns have been around 17% a year, with BHP returning some US$80 billion to shareholders over this period.
But in an announcement this morning, BHP revealed that Henry will be stepping down from the top role.
Here's what we know.
Image source: Getty Images
BHP shares coming under new leadership
Australia's biggest miner reported that Brandon Craig will become its new CEO and director on 1 July.
Commenting on the changing of the guard that investors buying BHP shares will be watching closely, chair Ross McEwan said:
We are very pleased an executive of Brandon Craig's calibre and extensive experience has been appointed as our new CEO to lead the execution of our strategy. I am confident that his 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.
We would like to recognise the outstanding contribution of Mike Henry to BHP as CEO. Under his leadership, BHP has transformed into a safer and more productive company, financially strong and sharply focused on shareholder value and social value.
"It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of BHP and to have worked with so many truly talented people," Henry said. "We are creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, our supply chain, partners and the communities where we operate."
What we know about the new CEO
BHP said Craig's appointment as its new CEO followed a formal succession process.
Craig is currently BHP's president Americas. During his time in this role, BHP became the world's largest copper producer. And with copper prices surging to new records this past year, that's provided a material tailwinds for BHP shares.
Previously, Craig led BHP's Western Australia Iron Ore business, where he worked to increase BHP's lead as the world's lowest cost, highest margin major iron ore producer.
Commenting on his appointment, Craig said:
It is an honour and privilege to succeed Mike Henry as CEO of BHP. Thanks to his leadership, BHP is well positioned for the future. Mike will be remembered for his strategic decision-making, portfolio transformation, operational excellence and focus on safety and high-performance culture.
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.
