BHP Seeks to Break Mining’s M&A Curse with Thorny Anglo Deal

Geoff Wilson has more than 44 years’ direct experience in investment markets having held a variety of senior investment roles in Australia, the UK and the US. Geoff founded Wilson Asset Management in 1997, which today, comprises of 19 investment professionals who offer a combined investment experience of more than 200 years. Wilson Asset Management manages more than $5 billion behalf of more than 130,000 investors as the investment manager for eight listed investment companies and the Wilson Asset Management Leaders Trust. Geoff is currently Chairman of WAM Capital Limited, WAM Leaders Limited, WAM Global Limited, WAM Microcap Limited, WAM Research Limited, WAM Active Limited, WAM Strategic Value Limited. He is the founder and a Director of Future Generation Australia Limited and Future Generation Global Limited and a Director of WAM Alternative Assets Limited. In 2014 Geoff created Australia’s first listed philanthropic wealth creation vehicles, Future Generation Australia, and subsequently Future Generation Global in 2015. To date, the Future Generation companies have donated more than $75 million to Australian not-for-profits. Geoff holds a Bachelor of Science, a Graduate Management Qualification and is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). In addition to Geoff’s Directorships with the Wilson Asset Management Group and the Future Generation companies, he also holds Directorships with Global Value Fund Limited (since 2014), Hearts and Minds Investments Limited (since 2018), Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation (since 1997) and the Australian Rugby Foundation (2024).

Kate Thorley has over 20 years’ experience in the funds management industry and more than 25 years of financial accounting and corporate governance experience. Kate is the Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Asset Management, Director of WAM Capital, WAM Leaders, WAM Global, WAM Research, WAM Active, WAM Microcap and WAM Strategic Value. Kate is a Director of Future Generation Australia and Future Generation Global. Kate is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Chartered Accountant.

Alexa has over 30 years’ global experience in finance, accounting and audit having previously held roles with KPMG, Arthur Andersen and Deutsche Bank (WM Company). Alexa is currently a non-executive director of abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust PLC, James Walker (Leith) Limited and Chairman of JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income PLC.

Lindsay has more than 50 years’ financial services experience. He was formerly Chairman of Premium Investors Pty Limited (formerly Premium Investors Limited). Prior to that Lindsay was CEO (Singapore) and Regional Head Asia for First State Investments, the Asian business of Colonial First State Global Asset Management. Prior to this, Lindsay was CEO of AXA Investment Managers in Hong Kong. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Lindsay has been a Director of the Company since March 2016. Lindsay Mann is currently an independent non-executive director and chair of the board of Uniting Ethical Investors Limited, an independent Director of WAM Capital Limited (appointed December 2012), Wealth Defender Equities Pty Limited (appointed October 2018) and Century Australia Investments Pty Limited (appointed March 2019).

Ian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management, a Master of Arts, a Master of Defence Studies, a Master of Strategic Studies and a Doctor of Philosophy from Deakin University. With 30 years of experience and as a senior officer in the Australian Defence Force, Ian has led large and small teams in complex and ambiguous environments. Ian has held a range of appointments in the Army and Special Forces throughout his career. Ian commanded the 2nd Commando Regiment, as well as multiple Special Operations Task Groups in Afghanistan, Iraq, and on domestic counter-terrorism duties. Ian has also led at the strategic level, responsible for the Army’s future strategic investments, future concepts and capabilities, major capital acquisitions and critical sustainment systems as the Head of Land Capability on two separate occasions in both 2019/20 and again in 2022. Ian has been awarded several Australian commendations, and the Distinguished Service Cross on three occasions. In 2019, he was appointed as an Honorary Aide de Camp to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Jesse is a Chartered Accountant with more than 16 years’ experience working in advisory and assurance services, specialising in funds management. As the Chief Financial Officer, Jesse oversees all finance and accounting of Wilson Asset Management (International) Pty limited. Jesse is Company Secretary for WAM Alternative Assets Limited and WAM Strategic Value Limited and Joint Company Secretary for WAM Capital Limited, WAM Leaders Limited, WAM Global Limited, WAM Microcap Limited, WAM Research Limited and WAM Active Limited, in addition to Future Generation Australia Limited and Future Generation Global Limited. Prior to joining Wilson Asset Management, Jesse worked as Chief Financial Officer of an ASX listed company, and also as an advisor specialising in assurance services, valuations, mergers and acquisitions, financial due diligence and capital raising activities for listed investment companies. Jesse was appointed Joint Company Secretary of WAM Leaders Limited in November 2020.

Linda has over 19 years’ experience in financial accounting including more than 15 years in the funds management industry. As the Finance Manager of Wilson Asset Management (International) Pty Limited, Linda oversees finance and accounting and is also the Joint Company Secretary for six listed investment companies, WAM Capital Limited, WAM Leaders Limited, WAM Global Limited, WAM Microcap Limited, WAM Research Limited and WAM Active Limited. Linda holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a fully qualified CPA. She is a certified member of the Governance Institute of Australia. Linda was appointed Company Secretary of WAM Leaders Limited in May 2016.