Rio Tinto Limited (ASX:RIO, NYSE:RIO, LON:RIO) has named John Varley as a senior independent director.
Varley will succeed Andrew Gould, who will step down from his role in May. Varley was appointed to the board in September, and will also continue in his role as chairman of the group's remuneration committee.
As part of the changes, Rio chairman Jan du Plessis will also join the remuneration committee.
Rio Tinto reported a net profit of $7.5 billion in the first half of the 2011 calendar year.
