Graham Kerr

Chief Executive Officer, South32

Graham Kerr has been South32’s Chief Executive Officer since October 2014 and is responsible for running all parts of the business. He led South32 through the Demerger from BHP in 2015 and its public listing in three countries and oversaw the development and implementation of the company’s strategy.

Under Mr Kerr’s leadership, South32 has undergone significant change to become a truly global, diversified producer of the metals critical to a low-carbon future.

Mr Kerr is passionate about health, safety and sustainability, with a strong track record in global resource development. He joined BHP in 1994 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in November 2011. Previously, Mr Kerr was President of Diamonds and Specialty Products and worked in a wide range of operational and commercial roles across BHP.

As President of Diamonds and Specialty Products, Mr Kerr was accountable for the Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada, the Richards Bay Minerals Joint Venture in South Africa, diamonds exploration in Angola, the Corridor Sands Project in Mozambique and the development of BHP’s potash portfolio in Canada.

Prior to that, Mr Kerr held the positions of Chief Financial Officer Stainless Steel Materials, Vice President Finance Diamonds and Finance Director for the Canadian Diamonds Company, all for BHP. In 2004, Mr Kerr left BHP for a two-year period when he was General Manager Commercial for Iluka Resources Ltd.

In this timely discussion, Graham will speak to his personal leadership journey and the leadership qualities that matter most to him. He will address his experience leading South32’s growth strategy during a time of global disruption.

It will be a pleasure to welcome back as moderator one of Australia’s leading journalists, Ellen Fanning, to moderate this QUT Business Leaders Forum event.

QUT Alumni

We also have a special lucky door prize for any QUT Alumni attending the forum. Please drop your business card in the bowl at the Alumni stand in the foyer for your chance to win a voucher valued at $800 towards a QUTeX professional development course.