Calmer times at BHP?

BHP’S incoming boss has pledged to focus on making the miner run more smoothly when he takes over in January.

The firm has tapped insider Mike Henry, who has been at BHP for 16 years and headed its Australian arm for three, to take over from outgoing chief executive Andrew Mackenzie. Mackenzie will step down after almost seven years at the helm of the group on December 31. Henry’s plans imply the firm will continue Mackenzie’s focus on efficiency.

The Canadian-born 53year-old said: ‘I’ve got the luxury here unlike some chief executive at being able to take up the position at a time when the company is performing very well and the foundation is strong.’