22-05-2025
Rio Tinto boss Jakob Stausholm makes surprise exit after four years
The boss of Rio Tinto has unexpectedly decided to step down after less than five years running the world's second-biggest mining company.
Jakob Stausholm, 56, is to leave later this year once a successor is found, the Anglo-Australian group said.
Rio, which is facing pressure from the activist investor Palliser Capital, gave no clear reason for Stausholm's departure beyond a statement from its chairman describing it as 'a natural moment to appoint Jakob's successor'.
Dominic Barton said that Rio was looking ahead to its next phase in which it would 'double down to deliver greater operational performance to realise the full potential' of its assets.
Analysts at Berenberg said, however, that Stausholm's exit, 'does not feel that natural to us. This news comes as a
