Rio Tinto has appointed Katie Jackson to head its Copper business, taking over from Bold Baatar, who will become Chief Commercial Officer later this year. Jackson, currently President of National Grid Ventures, will start her new role on September 1, 2024, and will be based in London.
Jackson’s career spans significant international experience in the energy sector. She began as a Drilling Engineer at Shell and has worked in regions including Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. Her career includes roles at Anadarko and Equinor, where she managed Development and Production operations across Europe and Asia. At BG Group, she served as Executive Vice President for Global Business Development and Strategy. After rejoining Shell, she became Executive Vice President of Acquisition, Divestment, and New Business Development, overseeing the Shell portfolio.
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm commented on Jackson’s appointment, saying, “Katie brings diverse experience from the energy sector. Her leadership will be invaluable as we shape our copper business for a successful future. As we continue the ramp-up of Oyu Tolgoi to become one of the world’s largest copper suppliers, we are also looking to the future with new opportunities globally. We are very excited that Rio Tinto will benefit from Katie’s global perspective, proven operational and strategic leadership capability, and her passion for driving sustainable growth.”
Jackson expressed enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “I am inspired by Rio Tinto’s ambition to deliver the materials the world needs. It is an exciting time to lead the copper business when we have such a central role to play in delivering a low-carbon future. I believe my current role delivering major infrastructure projects will help me bring a new perspective.” 
