"[Simon] takes on the presidency at a time of great opportunity and challenges for the sector as we head into state and federal election cycles. It's a highly pivotal leadership role and one that's instrumental in holding policy makers to account on behalf of industry."
CME Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Tomkinson
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) has announced the appointment of Simon Trott as its new President.
Mr Trott, who is the Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Western Australia, succeeds Brandon Craig, who has stepped down as CME President to take on the role of President Americas with BHP.
The appointment was made at CME's 123rd Annual General Meeting, where DEVELOP Global Limited's Bill Beament was re-elected to the Vice President role, and Roy Hill's Sanjiv Manchanda was newly appointed as Vice President.
"CME has a proud history of advocacy for WA's resources industry and I'm looking forward to helping drive the organisation's strategic direction over the next few years, working closely with Rebecca, the executive council and the team," Mr Trott said.
"The development of WA's natural resources continues to underpin the prosperity of our state and our nation. In 2022-23 the sector supported 3 in 10 West Australian jobs, 15,508 local businesses and 1,312 community organisations.
"It also contributes one third of WA Government's general revenue and 20 per cent of federal corporate income taxes, supporting the delivery of public goods and services from which the whole community benefits."
Mr Trott has been with Rio Tinto for more than 20 years in a variety of operating, commercial and business development roles across a number of commodities.
CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson welcomed Mr Trott to the role.
"Simon's involvement with CME on our Advisory Board and Executive Committee has highlighted his experience and knowledge as a leader and industry professional in the mining and resources sector," Ms Tomkinson said.
"He takes on the presidency at a time of great opportunity and challenges for the sector as we head into state and federal election cycles. It's a highly pivotal leadership role and one that's instrumental in holding policy makers to account on behalf of industry."
Ms Tomkinson also paid tribute to outgoing president, Brandon Craig, who was appointed to the CME role in April 2022 while serving as BHP's Asset President, Western Australia Iron Ore.
"Brandon's leadership roles with BHP over more than 20 years have been incredibly diverse. Those wide-ranging skills were an asset to his role as CME's President, a role he approached with characteristic rigour and passion. We wish him every success in his new appointment," she said.
