BHP and Woodside Energy appoint new CEOs amid leadership transitions and compensation details
Consensus Summary
BHP and Woodside Energy have appointed new CEOs in a leadership reshuffle, with Brandon Craig taking over at BHP from Mike Henry on July 1, 2025, and Elizabeth Westcott permanently leading Woodside after a stint as acting CEO. Craig, who previously oversaw Americas operations and drove BHPâs growth as the worldâs largest copper producer, will earn a base salary of $1.9 million USD with substantial performance-linked bonuses, though far less than Henryâs $19 million payout last year. Woodsideâs Westcott, with a background in ExxonMobil and EnergyAustralia, will receive a $2.3 million fixed annual reward plus bonuses tied to short- and long-term targets. The transition at BHP follows a US Federal Court blocking a joint mining venture with Rio Tinto in Arizona, a move criticized by former President Trump. Woodsideâs approval of a 40-year extension for its North West Shelf gas project underscores the companyâs strategic momentum under Westcottâs leadership. While both sources agree on key appointments and compensation structures, ABC provides additional context on political and regulatory challenges, while Newscomaustralia focuses narrowly on the succession and Craigâs background.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Brandon Craig will become BHPâs CEO on July 1, 2025, succeeding Mike Henry who held the role since 2020
- Brandon Craigâs base salary will be $1.9 million USD ($2.67 million AUD) annually with 10% allocated to superannuation
- BHPâs incentive schemes allow Brandon Craig to earn up to 3.6 times his base salary in bonuses (cash and shares) if performance targets are met
- Elizabeth Westcott was named Woodside Energyâs permanent CEO and managing director, succeeding Meg OâNeill who left for BP in December 2024
- Elizabeth Westcottâs fixed annual reward (FAR) is $2.3 million, including base salary, benefits, and performance-based bonuses
- Elizabeth Westcott previously served as Woodsideâs acting CEO since December 2024 and led Australian operations including the Scarborough Energy Project
- Mike Henry earned $19 million in ârealised payâ in the 2023â24 financial year, ranking him as the sixth-highest paid CEO in the ASX 200
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Brandon Craigâs salary could be doubled annually if he achieves performance targets
- BHPâs leadership change followed a US Federal Court blocking a joint copper mining venture with Rio Tinto in Arizona due to Native American and environmental challenges
- US President Donald Trump criticized the court and activists as âanti-Americanâ and âRadical Leftâ over the Arizona mining dispute
- Woodsideâs North West Shelf gas project received a 40-year extension approval from the Environmental Protection Authority in September 2025
- Elizabeth Westcottâs long-term incentive could be up to three times her FAR ($6.9 million) if performance targets are met
- Brandon Craigâs predecessor, Mike Henry, was the sixth-highest paid CEO of an Australian-listed company in 2023â24
- BHP is Australiaâs biggest company by market value and the worldâs largest copper producer under Craigâs leadership in Americas
- Brandon Craig previously ran BHPâs iron ore operations in Western Australia before becoming President Americas
- BHPâs $252 billion market capitalization is mentioned as context for the leadership change
- Craig stated in a formal statement: âIt is an honour and privilege to succeed Mike Henry as CEO of BHPâ
- No mention of the Arizona mining dispute or Trumpâs comments in this source
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports Brandon Craigâs base salary is $1.9 million USD ($2.67 million AUD), while Newscomaustralia does not specify the currency conversion or exact base salary figure
- ABC details Mike Henryâs $19 million ârealised payâ in 2023â24, but Newscomaustralia does not reference his compensation or ranking
- ABC highlights the US Federal Courtâs role in blocking BHP-Rio Tintoâs Arizona mining venture and Trumpâs criticism, which is absent from Newscomaustraliaâs coverage
- ABC notes Woodsideâs North West Shelf gas project extension approval in September 2025, a detail not included in Newscomaustraliaâs article
- Newscomaustralia omits the performance-based bonus structure for Elizabeth Westcottâs long-term incentives (up to three times FAR) mentioned in ABC
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