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Board committees

The Board has established committees responsible for audit, remuneration, sustainability and nominations issues. In addition, a Chair's Committee operates under delegated authority between scheduled board meetings. These Committees help the Board ensure high standards of corporate governance are maintained across the Group.

The Committees are governed by terms of reference, set and approved by the Board, which are reviewed annually.

More details on the activities of each committee are set out in the Governance report of the 2023 Annual Report.

  • Audit & Risk Committee
  • Nominations Committee
  • Sustainability Committee
  • People & Remuneration Committee
  • Chair's Committee

Audit & Risk Committee

The Audit & Risk Committee helps the Board to monitor decisions and processes designed to ensure the integrity of financial reporting, sound systems of internal control and risk management.

The Committee is responsible for financial reporting; internal controls, including internal controls over financial reporting; internal audit and assurance; external auditors (appointment and relationship); the effectiveness of the risk management framework; and the integrity and compliance program.

In carrying out its responsibilities the Committee has full authority to investigate all matters that fall within its terms of reference. Accordingly, the Committee may:

  • obtain independent professional advice in satisfying its duties at the Group's expense; and
  • have the direct access to the resources of the Group as it may reasonably require, including the external and internal auditors.

Audit & Risk Committee members

Simon Henry (Chair), Joc O'Rourke, Ben Wyatt, Kaisa Hietala, Sharon Thorne

Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee helps the Board ensure its composition is regularly reviewed and refreshed in order that it is effective and able to operate in the best interests of shareholders.

The Committee develops and agrees the desired profiles of potential candidates for board membership. It oversees the recruitment process and engages external search consultants to manage searches on its behalf, including constructing shortlists comprising candidates from diverse backgrounds. Following a final review of shortlisted candidates, the Committee makes recommendations for new Board members to the board for approval.

On behalf of the board, the Committee also reviews proposals for appointments to the Executive Committee and monitors executive succession planning.

Nominations Committee members

Dominic Barton (Chair), Simon Henry, Sam Laidlaw, Ngaire WoodsDean Dalla Valle 

Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee oversees Rio Tinto’s frameworks, management systems and processes for ensuring the health and safety of our employees and contractors; monitors our key environmental risks such as water, tailings management and biodiversity; and supports the Group’s contribution to the sustainable development of the communities in which we operate.

Sustainability Committee members

Dean Dalla Valle (Chair), Dominic Barton, Sam Laidlaw, Ngaire Woods, Kaisa Hietala, Martina Merz

People & Remuneration Committee

The People & Remuneration Committee helps the Board ensure that remuneration policy and practices reward employees and executives fairly and responsibly, with a clear link to corporate and individual performance, and a focus on people and culture.

People & Remuneration Committee members

Sam Laidlaw (Chair), Dominic Barton, Jennifer Nason, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, Dean Dalla Valle, Ben Wyatt

Chair’s Committee

The Chair's Committee acts on behalf of the Board between scheduled board meetings, either in accordance with authority delegated by the Board or as specifically set out within its terms of reference. It supports the functioning of the Board and ensures that its business and Committees are properly planned and aligned with management.

When mandated by the Board, the Chair's Committee will consider urgent matters between Board meetings, and deal with the implementation of Board decisions on transactions and other corporate matters. Other than for the chair of the Board, the Committee performs the annual review of Non-Executive Directors' fees and makes a recommendation to the Board, as appropriate.

Chair's Committee members

Dominic Barton (Chair), Jakob Stausholm, Peter Cunningham

Related downloads

Annual Report 2023
PDF
13.04 MB
Audit & Risk Committee
Audit & Risk Committee Terms of Reference
PDF
206 KB
Group Internal Audit Charter
PDF
221 KB
Nominations Committee
Nominations Committee Terms of Reference
PDF
140 KB
Sustainability Committee
Sustainability Committee Terms of Reference
PDF
131 KB
People & Remuneration Committee
People & Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference
PDF
161 KB

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