Left to Right: Dr Pat Foster, Cynthia Carroll, Professor Frances Wall and Dr Ben Williamson.

Anglo American Plc Chief Executive awarded Honorary degree from Exeter

The University of Exeter recently awarded an honorary degree to Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive of Anglo American Plc.

Cynthia was awarded the title of Doctor of Science by the University of Exeter’s Chancellor Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE in the picturesque setting of Truro Cathedral on Monday 23rd July.

Anglo American is a leader in the global mining industry with a portfolio that includes iron ore, metallurgical coal, thermal coal, copper, nickel, platinum and diamonds. The company’s mining operations, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span the world. Anglo American also works closely with the University’s Camborne School of Mines, based on the Cornwall Campus.

Cynthia is a geologist by training, with an MSc in Geology from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Before joining Anglo American, she spent 18 years with Alcan Inc., rising to President and CEO of its Primary Metal Group. She began her career with Amoco as a petroleum geologist in oil exploration in the United States. At her time of appointment with Anglo American, she became only the third female chief executive of a FTSE 100 company. These achievements were recognised by Forbes Magazine ranking Cynthia as the world’s fourth most powerful woman soon after taking on the role.

Her passion for safety and her determination to achieve “zero harm” is well known throughout the industry. Cynthia’s leadership has seen the Group’s safety performance improve by 62% between 2006, the year prior to her arrival, and 2011. These views of responsible mining are shared by the University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines. Education and research into this area, such as that undertaken by the University, along with strong leadership from mining professionals such as Cynthia, will ensure that mining can help transform people’s lives in a positive and lasting way.

The University is also collaborating with Anglo American in research projects on exploration geology and how the mining industry needs to adapt to climate change.

Cynthia is a non executive director of BP plc, and is a member of BP’s Safety, Ethics and Environmental Assurance Committee of the Board. She is also the Chairman of Anglo American Platinum Limited and a non-executive director of De Beers. Cynthia is Chairman of the NSPCC Stop Organised Abuse Board and is a Fellow of The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. She is on the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Study and is also a member of the American Society of Corporate Executives.

Professor Frances Wall, Head of Camborne School of Mines and Associate Professor in Applied Mineralology, was delighted to welcome Cynthia to the School as an honorary graduand, commenting “Cynthia is an excellent role model and champion of responsible mining. After the ceremony, Cynthia took time to meet students on the front steps of the Cathedral and I hope that will have helped inspire some of our graduates to aim for future leadership roles in the mining industry.”

This year, the University has honoured a combination of its alumni, notable individuals from the local area and others who have made a significant contribution internationally, such as Cynthia.

Date: 13 August 2012

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