Fortescue board bolstered by ex-CSIRO boss Larry Marshall
Former CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall is joining the board of mining giant and aspiring green hydrogen producer Fortescue Metals Group, hailing its founder Andrew Forrest as Australia’s greatest entrepreneur.
The board appointment was announced by Dr Forrest on Saturday night at Fortescue’s 20th-anniversary party at the Solomon iron ore mining hub in WA’s Pilbara.
Former CSIRO CEO Larry Marshall says Andrew Forrest is Australia’s greatest entrepreneur. Tertius Pickard
Called to the stage by an emotional Forrest in front of a crowd of about 700 Fortescue workers and VIPs, Dr Marshall heaped praise on the Fortescue chairman who has campaigned for action on climate change across the global resources industry.
“Andrew is the greatest Australian entrepreneur I’ve ever met. And I am an Australian entrepreneur, and he’s the best,” Dr Marshall said.
“His vision for the future of this company, which you have all helped create, it’s not just a mining company anymore, it’s not just an energy company anymore.
“It’s a technology company that’s going to invent the future that we all need. And I’m so proud.”
Dr Marshall, the longest-serving chief executive in the history of the national science agency, said Dr Forrest was ”by far the finest example of Australian industry delivering a better future for every single Australian”.
Dr Marshall’s appointment will be confirmed on Monday when Fortescue hands down its full-year results.
The appointment adds scientific and entrepreneurial weight to the board as the company prepares to make final investment calls on five green energy projects before December 31 and developing battery and electrolyser-making businesses.
The first battery-electric haul truck built by Fortescue in partnership
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