Sam Walsh was appointed Chief Executive of Rio Tinto’s extensive Iron Ore group in 2004. His responsibilities cover operations and projects in Australia, Canada, Guinea and India, as well as Dampier Salt and Rio Tinto Marine.
He has overseen the rapid expansion of this group, with more than US$16 billion committed to mine expansions and major infrastructure developments since 2004. In 2010 net earnings were more than US$10 billion.
In June 2009, Sam was appointed as an Executive Director to the Boards of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited, and in November 2009, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Australia. He is also the Rio Tinto ExCo sponsor for Australia, India and West Africa.
Sam has been with Rio Tinto since 1991. Prior to joining the Iron Ore group, he held a number of management positions within Rio Tinto, including Chief Executive of the Aluminium group.
Before joining Rio Tinto, Sam spent 20 years in the automotive industry and held senior roles with General Motors and Nissan Australia.
Sam has a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University and has completed a Fellowship Program at Kettering University in Michigan.
Sam’s other appointments include Non-Executive Director of West Australian Newspapers Holdings Limited, Vice President of the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee.
In 2010, Sam was appointed as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commerce by Edith Cowan University.
In 2007 Sam was named Western Australian Citizen of the Year - Industry & Commerce and an Australian Export Hero.
