Duncan succeeds Mark Cutifani who will retire as CEO and step down from the board.
Anglo American has announced the appointment of Duncan Wanblad as its CEO, with effect from Anglo American’s AGM on 19 April 2022.
Duncan, who will also join the board of Anglo American as an executive director on the same date, succeeds Mark Cutifani, who will retire as chief executive and step down from the board at the AGM after nine years in the role.
Commenting on Duncan’s appointment, Stuart Chambers, chairman of Anglo American, said: “Duncan Wanblad is the standout and natural successor to Mark Cutifani, bringing his 30 years of international mining experience and deep understanding of Anglo American, its culture and its context.
“In both executive and non-executive roles spanning most of Anglo American’s businesses, Duncan has been integral to shaping the strong competitive position of the company today. Following a rigorous global process to identify Mark’s successor, including those on our internal succession plan, the board felt that Duncan is uniquely qualified to take Anglo American on the next phase of improvement and to deliver what is one of the industry’s leading growth stories. On behalf of the board, we congratulate Duncan on his appointment as chief executive.”
Wanblad was appointed group director for strategy and business development at Anglo in 2016, and also served as CEO of its base metals business from 2013 to 2019. He has spent most of his working career within the Anglo family.
He is also a non-executive director of De Beers and Kumba Iron Ore, and chairs the Anglo American Foundation. Between 2009 and 2013, he was group director for the Other Mining and Industrial portfolio at Anglo American, where he was responsible for a global portfolio of mining and industrial businesses for disposal or turnaround as part of a programme to maximise shareholder value.
He was appointed CEO of Anglo American’s Copper operations in 2008, prior to which he served as joint interim CEO of Anglo American Platinum from 2007 (having served on the board since 2004). From 2004 to 2007, Wanblad served as executive director of projects and engineering at Anglo American Platinum.
Duncan said he was honoured that the board has given him this opportunity. “I am grateful for this opportunity to lead this great company and our wonderful colleagues around the world. Having started my career underground as a junior engineer, I have never lost sight of what it takes to produce the metals and minerals that are ever more vital to support our life on this planet.
“Our responsibility to do so safely and sustainably, including meeting our employees’ and stakeholders’ expectations of us, has never been greater. Through the way we work, the technologies we are deploying to drive us towards our sustainability goals, and the breadth of opportunities I can see, we are determined to live up to that promise.”
