On 1 July 2026, Brandon Craig officially became Chief Executive Officer and Director of BHP Group Limited, one of the most consequential leadership transitions in the global mining and resources sector this year. He succeeds Mike Henry, who stepped down after six and a half years at the helm.
Craig, a 25-year BHP veteran who most recently served as President Americas, inherits a company operating at scale. Under Henry’s leadership, BHP became the world’s largest copper producer, returned approximately $80 billion to shareholders, achieved a gender-balanced workforce, and reduced operational greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. Average annual total shareholder returns during his tenure sat at around 17%.
“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.”
– Brandon Craig, CEO, BHP Group
Craig has wasted no time. His first act as CEO was a leadership reshuffle, splitting the President Americas role in two. Jessica Farrell, previously head of BHP’s nickel business, has been appointed to lead North American operations, with oversight of South America until a permanent appointment is made. That region houses BHP’s most strategic growth engines, the Jansen potash project in Canada and the Resolution copper project in the United States, both central to Craig’s growth mandate.
His appointment comes at a defining moment for global resources. Copper demand is being reshaped by AI infrastructure, electrification, and the energy transition, placing BHP at the centre of the next commodities supercycle.
For Brandon Craig, the mandate is clear: turn scale into staying power.
Sources: BHP Group Limited, GuruFocus
