Sam Walsh

Sam Walsh AO (born 27 December 1949) is an Australian businessman who has been a non-executive director of Mitsui & Co since June 2017. He was chief executive officer (CEO) of London-based mining company Rio Tinto Group, from 2013 to 2016.

Prior to becoming CEO of Rio Tinto, Walsh was Rio Tinto chief of the Iron Ore group, and of Rio Tinto Australia. Based in the Australian city of Perth, he oversaw company's mining operations and expansions in Pilbara, Western Australia.

Early life Sam Walsh was born in 1949 and grew up in the Melbourne seaside suburb of Brighton. His father died when he was 15.

Walsh attended Brighton Grammar School and Taylor's College in Melbourne. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University, and completed a Fellowship Program at Kettering University in Michigan. He became a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management, Australian Institute of Company Directors, The Institute of Directors (UK), and Australian Academy of Technical Sciences and Engineering.

Meanwhile, in 2005 Walsh was appointed a director of the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and he was appointed a director of Seven West Media in 2008. According to the company annual report in March 2014, Walsh was paid US$9.1 million in 2013, up 44% from the $6.3 million he earned in 2012. The figure included salary, a cash bonus, shares and other benefits. His predecessor Tom Albanese was paid 4 million pounds ($6.7 million) in 2012.

Rio Tinto Chairman Jan du Plessis confirmed on 23 October 2014, the company had retained Walsh for the longer term and Walsh would continue as CEO of Rio Tinto beyond the end of 2015. Originally, he was given a three-year contract. It was reported that Walsh would receive $1.4 million to cover the remaining nine months of his contract.