Fortescue global growth director Julie Shuttleworth has left the organisation after more than a decade, the latest high-profile departure from the Forrest empire’s group of businesses.
Fortescue global growth director Julie Shuttleworth has left the organisation after more than a decade, the latest high-profile departure from the Forrest empire’s group of businesses.
Ms Shuttleworth spent two years at the helm of Fortescue Future Industries from 2020 to 2022 before moving into her position as global growth director, having worked her way up after joining Fortescue as general manager of the Cloudbreak iron ore mine in 2013.
She previously spent 13 years with Barrick Gold, most notably as general manager at the Granny Smith mine, before joining Fortescue.
Ms Shuttleworth’s contributions to Fortescue were celebrated at a staff function this week.
“Julie has been an integral part of Fortescue’s success,” the company said in a statement.
“We thank Julie for all she has contributed over 11 years and wish her the best as she enjoys some travel and time with her family.”
Ms Shuttleworth’s departure from Fortescue comes off the back of a period in which the company has ramped up its activity abroad – particularly in the US.
In November, the company revealed it had established a US capital office in a bid to attract international funding for its green energy projects.
The same month, Fortescue shared plans to establish a major manufacturing facility in the US with a view to manufacturing batteries, hydrogen generators and fast chargers out of Michigan.
The company is also pushing ahead with its Phoenix hydrogen hub in Arizona with an eye to first production in 2026.
Its chair Andrew Forrest has been a vocal supporter of the US administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which offers tax credits for green energy projects.
The hydrogen push extends to Brazil, Kenya and Norway, where Fortescue has plans to fast track hydrogen projects.
Fortescue’s c-suite departure lounge attracted significant attention over the course of last year and into the early months of 2024, with a string of high-profile resignations making headlines.
Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Fiona Hick made an abrupt exit in September, shortly followed by Guy Debelle and Christine Morris.
Former Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner left a role with the company earlier this year, as did former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, whose role as a director ended when a board he sat on within Fortescue was disbanded.
Deborah Caudle, who was chief financial officer at Fortescue Energy, left the company late in January as part of a corporate restructure.
Ms Shuttleworth was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to mining and minerals in 2021.
