BT poaches Rio Tinto's du Plessis as chairman

The FTSE 100 firm said du Plessis would join the board as a non-executive director from 1 June and become chairman with effect from 1 November, when Rake would retire from BT, following 10 years as chairman.

Du Plessis has been chairman of Rio Tinto since 2009.

He has also held a number of other senior non-executive roles, including as a director and chairman of SABMiller from September 2014 and July 2015 respectively until October 2016, and as director and senior independent director of Marks & Spencer from 2008 and 2012 respectively until March 2015.

Previously, du Plessis was group finance director of Richemont and chairman at British American Tobacco.

“I am delighted Jan has been chosen to succeed me as chairman,” said Sir Mike Rake.

“Over the past 10 years, BT has made huge progress and we have transformed and expanded the business.”

Rake said while there remained continuing challenges, the performance of the company was still on track.

“This gives me great confidence in its future and I wish Jan every success as he leads BT at this important time.”

Du Plessis said he was honoured to have been asked to become BT's chairman.

“BT is a great British company with excellent people and Mike has done an outstanding job as chairman over the last 10 years.

“This is an important time for the company and I look forward to working with Gavin and his team to help BT continue to support Britain's digital future.”

Rio Tinto said Du Plessis would retire as its chairman no later than the 2018 annual general meeting in Australia.

It said planning for chair succession had already begun in June 2016 after the announcement of the appointment of J-S Jacques as chief executive, with senior independent director John Varley leading the process.

A successor was expected to be announced before the end of 2017.

“It has been a great privilege to chair Rio Tinto over the past eight years, during which time I have worked with some outstanding people across the business,” duPlessis commented.

“The company has withstood the challenges of a cyclical industry and performed well.

“We have a robust balance sheet and a strong management team, led by an impressive chief executive in J-S Jacques.”