Advisor, Chairman and Non Executive Director
+61 419 341 305
Graeme.Hunt@LeadersOnDemand.com
A highly respected, internationally experienced NED and C-Suite executive with a long and successful track record of shareholder value creation in capital-intensive globally competitive industries, achieved through strategic positioning, performance improvement, organic growth and successful M & A.
Graeme has served as an ASX Managing Director & Chief Executive on three occasions and also lead multiple global commodity divisions of BHP. He is deeply experienced as a Chair and NED for listed, private equity and not for profit companies.
Graeme understands the challenges of capital intensive globally competitive businesses in the Mining, Metals, Energy, Utilities, Transport, and Industrial Services sectors, he has on many occasions successfully led organisations through complex strategic, financial, and operational challenges.
Career History
Graeme commenced his 30 year plus career with BHP as a Metallurgy trainee at the Port Kembla Steel Works , he held various operational and technical roles before being promoted into senior executive roles in the BHP’s Steel, Transport and Coal Divisions.
He subsequently served on BHP’s Executive Committee, led four different commodity divisions and held a key Corporate strategy role.
Since leaving BHP he has held three ASX MD & CEO roles with Lihir Gold, Transfield Services and AGL Energy.
Through his executive career he has had accountability for large , complex and diverse businesses and capital projects throughout ANZ, the Americas, Scandinavia, Africa,Asia Pacific, India, and the Middle East.
He is the Founder and Chairman of G.P Hunt Associates Pty Ltd a Melbourne based company providing a Strategic Advisory service and a Chairman/CEO perspective to a select group of clients.
He has served as Chair of AGL Energy, BIS industries Ltd and as Chair and NED on a number of not for profit research collaboration entities.
Leadership Highlights
Parachuted into led BHP’s Iron ore business on the back of a failed merger negotiation with largest competitor. Successfully delivered uplift in performance to offset the “lost deal synergies” and then repositioned the business and delivered capacity projects to capitalise on Chinese market growth. Subsequently reconfigured the mine/rail/port operating model to unlock a production growth pathway that has been the enabler of the growth in sales over the last decade.
Negotiated improved terms for Lihir Gold Ltd shareholders in a merger agreement with Newcrest Mining Limited. Shareholders received a premium of approximately 55% on the undisturbed LGL share price and an ability to remain exposed to the growth profile of the A$24.5B merged entity.
Successfully led the turnaround of Broadspectrum (formerly, Transfield Services Ltd), an ASX listed company with $4B of annual revenue.
Repaired balance sheet and strategically repositioned the business towards more sustainable earnings and higher returns
Negotiated the 2016 takeover by Ferrovial a Spanish company with global operations and a Mkt Cap of $20b. The acquisition at $1.50 per share represented a premium of 75% over the pre offer share price
Qualifications
Bachelor Metallurgy University of Wollongong, MBA University of Wollongong, Senior Executive Programme London Business School
Sectors
Resources, Energy, Construction, Utilities, Environmental Services, Civil Engineering, Shipbuilding, Maritime, Logistics, Industrial Products, Chemicals, Transportation
Functions
General Management, Commercial & Markets, Operations & Technology
Situations
Turnaround & Transformation, Acquisition & Divestment, Scaling & Growth, Capital Raising, Crisis Management
Favourite quotes
“It is easy to confuse ‘what is’ with ‘what ought to be’ especially when ‘what is ‘ has worked out in your favour” Tyrion Lannister
“Let’s work the problem people. Let’s not make things worse by guessing” Gene Kranz
"An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind" Mahatma Gandhi
“I joined Leaders on Demand...
... because I have a desire to support CEOs develop the strategies, capabilities and approach needed to succeed in these challenging, complex, and dynamic times. Working with LOD allows clients not only to leverage my experience and scar tissue but potentially that of the broader amazing LOD team should they wish”
“When I'm not at work...
... I enjoy music and theatre and spending time with the family on our equestrian property in the Macedon Ranges where I find a few hours on the Massey-Ferguson good therapy”