01 MARCH 2026
In line with the planned succession announced last October, Stephen Pearce has started as Chair of South32, replacing Karen Wood AM who has retired from the South32 Board.
Stephen joined the South32 Board in February 2025, bringing extensive financial and commercial acumen to the role of Chair, combined with strong leadership and industry experience. He has more than 20 years’ experience as a director of public companies, and more than 35 years of financial and commercial experience in the mining, oil and gas, and utilities industries.
Karen has been a member of the South32 Board since 2017 and our Chair since 2019. She has provided exceptional leadership and strategic oversight of South32’s portfolio transformation and approach to sustainability.
We’d like to thank Karen for her service and welcome Stephen to the role of Chair.