Appointment of CFO

BHP Billiton Limited
14 September 2001



Release Time                      IMMEDIATE
Date                              14 September 2001
Number                            13/01


    BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure
 obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

  The text of  this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc
                                   earlier.



                BHP BILLITON APPOINTS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

BHP Billiton today announced the appointment of Christopher Lynch to the
position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. Mr Lynch,
who was previously CFO BHP Billiton Minerals, will be based in Melbourne,
Australia.



Following today's announcement, the CFO BHP Billiton Minerals position will be
integrated into the BHP Billiton CFO role, with Mr Lynch assuming
responsibility for both areas. Mr Lynch will report to the CEO and Managing
Director and will be a member of the Group's Executive Committee.



BHP Billiton CEO and Managing Director Paul Anderson said: 'Chris has an
outstanding track record in the resources industry and we are extremely
pleased to be appointing him to the key position of Chief Financial Officer.



'Chris' recent experience as CFO Minerals, and his prior roles as Vice
President and Chief Information Officer for Alcoa Inc in the United States,
and Chief Financial Officer Alcoa Europe, together with his operating,
treasury and accounting experience, provide a unique combination of talents
that will significantly benefit all of BHP Billiton's businesses.'

Mr Lynch will lead the BHP Billiton finance team. His areas of responsibility
include:



  * Group Tax;
  * Risk Assessment and Assurance;
  * Information Technology;
  * Budgeting and Forecasting;
  * Group Accounting;
  * Treasury and Corporate Finance;
  * Operational Excellence;
  * Shared Business Services;
  * Strategic Sourcing, and
  * Workout Assets.

Following the appointment of Mr Lynch, BHP Billiton Chief Development Officer
Chip Goodyear will relocate to London. Mr Goodyear has performed both the
Chief Development Officer and Chief Financial Officer roles since June, 2001.



Mr Anderson thanked Mr Goodyear for his additional contribution during the
global search for a new CFO: 'Chip's performance in both roles has been
outstanding and he has been integral to the success of the merger integration
to date.'


Prior to joining BHP Billiton Mr Lynch has held the roles of Vice President
and Chief Information Officer, and Manager Financial Risk and Treasury
Operations for Alcoa Inc in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From 1997 to 1999 he was
employed as Chief Financial Officer for Alcoa Europe, based in Lausanne,
Switzerland.

Mr Lynch was also Managing Director KAAL Australia Ltd, a joint venture
company formed by Alcoa Inc of the US and Kobe Steel of Japan, and Corporate
Accounting Manager Alcoa of Australia.


                                     ****

Further news and information can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com



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LYNCH, Christopher J

Chief Financial Officer BHP Billiton, 2001

Career

Chief Financial Officer BHP Minerals 2000 -01;

Vice President Alcoa & Chief Information Officer 1999-00; Chief Financial
Officer, Alcoa Europe 1997-99; Managing Director, KAAL Australia 1996-1997;
General Manager, Alcoa Rolled Products of Australia 1994-96; Financial Risk &
Treasury Operations Manager, Alcoa Inc Pittsburgh 1992-94; Corporate
Accounting Manager - Controller, Alcoa of Australia 1988-91; General Manager
Finance & Administration, Universal Waldeck 1987; Various project, cost
accounting and management positions, Alcoa of Australia 1979-86; Various
accounting roles 1975-79.


Committees, industry bodies & professional associations

Fellow of the Australian Society of CPAs


Personal



Born: 23 September 1953, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Education: Marist Brothers College, Forbes,
New South Wales, Australia; Commerce Degree, Accounting, Deakin University;
Master of Business Administration, Deakin University.



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