Sir John Parker has been appointed Anglo American's new chairman in spite of a strong recommendation by the government that a black candidate be appointed, the company said on Friday."Sir John will join the Board of Anglo American plc as a non-executive director with immediate effect and will become chairman on 1 August, succeeding Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, who will be retiring from the Board after seven years as chairman," the company said in a statement.
Parker is chairman of National Grid plc and is also joint chairman of the Mondi Group with Cyril Ramaphosa.
On Thursday, however, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said Anglo American should appoint a black South African as chairman.
"It should come as no surprise that we feel strongly about this issue," she told Sapa via email.
"Anglo American has its roots in South Africa and its role in the South African economy is very significant."
She said the government had been actively pursuing the transformation of the country in every aspect "and therefore we would prefer to have a black South African as the chairperson of Anglo".
The minister said this would be "a positive signal going forward" that Anglo was committed to South Africa, to the transformation of its economy and the development of the country.
However, Anglo appointed Parker who would step down from several of his board and other commitments. He has recently stepped down as chair of the Court of the Bank of England, the statement said.
"Anglo American's Board appointed a search committee of independent directors chaired by Peter Woicke, former CEO of the International Finance Corporation, with members Dr Mamphela Ramphele, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town and former managing director of the World Bank, Sir CK Chow, chief executive of the Hong Kong MTR, and the late Karel van Miert, former European Commissioner and member of the European Parliament," the company stated.
Source : Sapa /jr/gj
Date : 10 Jul 2009 09:03
