Chris Thompson to Retire as Chairman of Gold Fields
October 31 2005 - 11:41AM
PR Newswire (US)
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At
a meeting of the board of Gold Fields Limited
(JSE:GFIJSE:NYSE:JSE:GFI), held on October 30, 2005, Christopher M
T Thompson formally notified the board of his intention to retire
as chairman and a member of the board with effect from the end of
the annual general meeting of the Company, which will be held in
Johannesburg on Thursday, November 17, 2005. The board unanimously
elected Alan J Wright (64), currently the deputy chairman of Gold
Fields, to succeed Thompson as non-executive chairman. Thompson in
early 2005 indicated his intention to step down as chairman of Gold
Fields after the defeat of the Harmony bid. "I leave confident in
the knowledge that Gold Fields has now settled down and is stronger
for the experience, and well focused on the new challenges that lie
ahead," said Thompson. Referring to the appointment of Wright as
his successor he said: "Alan is a veteran of the gold mining
industry and well equipped to step into the role of Chairman, and
is committed to the strategy of growing the Company
internationally." The board thanked Thompson for his leadership
over the past seven years and especially for the role that he
played in building Gold Fields into a truly global company. "During
his seven years at the helm he directed Gold Fields from being a
largely South African company, producing just more than 2 million
ounces of gold per year and with a market capitalization of less
than R7 billion, to become a truly global producer of well over 4
million ounces of gold per year and a market capitalization in
excess of R45 billion. He made a lasting contribution in shaping
the fortunes of the modern Gold Fields." Notes to Editors: Thompson
joined Gold Fields as an independent non-executive director in May
1998. He was appointed as chairman and chief executive officer on
October 7, 1998, a position he held until June 30, 2002, when, on
his recommendation, Ian Cockerill was appointed to succeed him as
chief executive officer. Thompson remained as chairman from July 1,
2002. Alan Wright first joined the board of Gold Fields Limited as
deputy chairman at the inception of the Company late in 1997.
Before that he served as chief executive officer of Gold Fields of
South Africa (GFSA), in which capacity he was instrumental in the
creation of Gold Fields Limited through the merger of the gold
interests of GFSA and Gencor. http://www.goldfields.co.za/
DATASOURCE: Gold Fields Limited CONTACT: Gold Fields Limited
Enquires: South Africa, Willie Jacobsz, Tel +27-11-644-2630, Fax
+27-11-484-0639; Nerina Bodasing, Tel +27-11-644-2460, Fax
+27-11-484-0639; North America, Cheryl A Martin, Tel
+1-303-796-8683, Fax +1-303-796-8293
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