AZJ Aurizon Holdings Ltd

By Rhiannon Hoyle

SYDNEY--Aurizon Holdings Ltd. (AZJ.AU) said Chief Executive Lance Hockridge will step down and be succeeded by former Rio Tinto PLC (RIO.LN) executive Andrew Harding.

Mr. Harding left Rio Tinto, one of the world's top mining companies, in June amid a shakeup of the company's executive team. He worked at Rio Tinto for more than 24 years, most recently as the head of its iron-ore business.

Aurizon said Friday he will succeed Mr. Hockridge, who has led the Australian rail operator since its initial public offering in 2010, on Dec. 1.

"He has global operational experience, has managed complex logistics operations attached to mining operations and has a detailed understanding of the issues facing our customers," Aurizon Chairman Tim Poole said of Mr. Harding.

Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 01, 2016 19:04 ET (23:04 GMT)

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