Gold Fields Appoints Chris Griffith as CEO Designate

Rhea-AI Summary

The Board of Gold Fields (JSE: GFI, NYSE: GFI) announced the appointment of Chris Griffith as Chief Executive Officer designate, effective April 1, 2021. Griffith, previously CEO of Anglo American Platinum, succeeds Nick Holland, who will retire six months early after 13 years in the role. Griffith brings extensive mining experience, aiming to enhance operational performance and sustainability. The Board expressed confidence in his ability to lead the company forward while emphasizing value creation for shareholders and stakeholders.

Positive

• Chris Griffith appointed as CEO designate, bringing extensive mining experience.
• Leadership transition aims to maintain operational excellence and sustainability.

Negative

• Nick Holland's early retirement may raise concerns about continuity in leadership.

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Gold Fields (JSE: GFI) (NYSE: GFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Griffith as the Chief Executive Officer designate and Executive Director of the Company. Mr Griffith will succeed Nick Holland on 1 April 2021.

Mr Holland, who was due to retire on 30 September 2021 after 13 years as CEO of the Company, has agreed to retire six months earlier to facilitate the leadership transition.

Mr Griffith, 55, was previously CEO of Anglo American Platinum. He resigned from this position on 16 April 2020 to pursue other career opportunities and is currently on gardening leave until 31 March 2021.

Prior to Anglo American Platinum, which he led as CEO since 2012, Mr Griffith spent four years as CEO of Kumba Iron Ore, another company in the Anglo American stable. A graduate mining engineer from the University of Pretoria, he had joined Anglo American in 1990 from JCI.

Cheryl Carolus, Gold Fields' Chairperson, welcomed Mr Griffith on behalf of the Board: "We are delighted that an experienced executive of Chris's calibre will join Gold Fields. He has deep-rooted operational mining experience and an impressive track record of delivering safe operational performance and leading effective change.

"Creating value for shareholders is paramount, but at the same time the environmental and social sustainability of our Company and value creation for all stakeholders has taken on increased significance. We are confident that Chris is the right person to take the business forward," she says.  

The Board paid tribute to Mr Holland's leadership at Gold Fields, which he joined as CFO at the formation of the Company in 1998 and led as CEO since 2008.

"Nick has defined Gold Fields as it is today; a global, highly profitable and sustainable company, which is widely considered a leader in its field. In 2008, two-thirds of our production came from South Africa; in 2020 approximately 90% emanated from outside of South Africa with all our mines highly mechanised and increasingly automated," she said.

"Above all, Nick prioritised safety and wellness at all our operations and during his tenure Gold Fields has seen a marked improvement in its safety record. At the same time environmental, social and governance issues have been fully integrated into the day-to-day management of the business, further entrenching Gold Fields' vision of global leadership in sustainable gold mining.

"On behalf of the Board and all our 17,000 employees we want to thank you for the leadership you've shown over the past two decades and more. The Gold Fields of today is a testament to your vision, strategy and leadership," Ms Carolus concluded.  

Enquiries

Investors

Avishkar Nagaser
Tel:  +27 11 562-9775
Mobile:  +27 82 312 8692
Email: Avishkar.Nagaser@goldfields.com

Thomas Mengel
Tel:  +27 11 562-9849
Mobile:  +27 72 493 5170
Email: Thomas.Mengel@goldfields.com

Media

Sven Lunsche
Tel:  +27 11 562-9763
Mobile:  +27 83 260 9279
Email: Sven.Lunsche@goldfields.com

Media in Chile and Peru

Constanza Pantaleón Segovia
Mobile:  +56 9 9318 2013
Email : Constanza.Pantaleon@goldfields.com

About Gold Fields

Gold Fields is a globally diversified gold producer with nine operating mines in Australia, Peru, South Africa and West Africa (including the Asanko JV), as well as one project in Chile. We have total attributable annual gold-equivalent production of 2.2Moz, attributable gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves of 51.3Moz and Mineral Resources of 115.7Moz. Our shares are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and our American depositary shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd

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SOURCE Gold Fields Limited

FAQ

Who is Chris Griffith and what is his background?

Chris Griffith is the newly appointed CEO designate of Gold Fields, previously CEO of Anglo American Platinum with extensive experience in the mining sector.

When will Chris Griffith officially become CEO of Gold Fields?

Chris Griffith will officially assume the role of CEO on April 1, 2021.

What prompted Nick Holland's early retirement from Gold Fields?

Nick Holland agreed to retire six months earlier to facilitate a smooth leadership transition for the company.

How does the leadership change impact Gold Fields' future?

The Board believes that Chris Griffith's leadership will enhance operational performance and strengthen the company's focus on sustainability and shareholder value.