SAM WALSH

CEO, Rio Tinto

Sam Walsh was appointed Chief executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore in December 2004. The role includes responsibility for Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in Australia, Canada, Brazil, Guinea and India. Sam is also Chairman of Rio Tinto China. Prior to Sam’s appointment as Chief  Executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Sam was Chief executive of Comalco and Rio Tinto Aluminium (2001-2004) and Chairman of Rio Tinto Japan (2002-2005). Before joining Rio Tinto, Sam worked in the automotive industry for more than 20 years in Australia and the USA. He is a Fellow of AIM, the AIMM and AICD, Vice President of the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee, a Councillor of the WA CCI, a Director of Committee for Perth Limited, Chair of the WA Chapter of the Australia Business Arts  Foundation, and the Chairman of the Rio Tinto Western Australia Future Fund. In 2007, Sam was awarded an Australian Export Hero and Western Australian Citizen of the Year - Industry & Commerce.