C Goodyear App Chief Exec

BHP Billiton Limited
06 January 2003

     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.




6 January 2003
Number: 01/03


             CHIP GOODYEAR APPOINTED BHP BILLITON CHIEF EXECUTIVE,
                            BRIAN GILBERTSON RESIGNS


The boards of BHP Billiton Ltd and BHP Billiton Plc today announced that they
had appointed Mr Charles (Chip) Goodyear as Chief Executive to replace Mr Brian
Gilbertson, who has resigned as Chief Executive and as a director due to
irreconcilable differences with the Boards.

In order to resolve this situation and in the best interests of the company and
its shareholders, Mr Gilbertson decided to resign.

'Brian and Paul Anderson were the primary architects of the successful merger of
BHP and Billiton that has made the group one of the world's leading resources
companies,' BHP Billiton Chairman Don Argus said today.

'We wish him every success in the future.'

'During my time at BHP Billiton it was a privilege to lead an experienced and
talented management team as we created the leading player in our industry. I
have every confidence in the future success of the group under Chip Goodyear's
leadership,' Mr Gilbertson said.

Mr Goodyear (44), who joined BHP in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer, has been
Chief Development Officer for the BHP Billiton group since June 2001 and was
appointed an executive director in November 2001. Mr Goodyear takes up his new
appointment immediately.

Mr. Argus said that Mr Goodyear has the full support of the board in continuing
the strategic approach announced last year.

'Chip is an outstanding executive with solid resources industry experience.
During his time at BHP Billiton he has shown real leadership skills, financial
acumen and a great ability to get things done. He is widely respected throughout
the company and is highly regarded by the investment community.

'The success of the merger integration, the quality of our world class asset
base and management team continues to be reflected in the group's solid
underlying performance' Mr Argus said.

Commenting on his appointment Mr Goodyear said:

'The Customer Sector Group business model and the company's strategy have been
in place and effective for over 18 months. The financial success and the
significant progress we have made demonstrate our business model and strategy
are working well. Together with the rest of the organization I am enthusiastic
about the future and I look forward to continuing these initiatives and building
on the progress we have made.'

Biographical background attached.

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com

Australia                                                  United Kingdom
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations                           Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]               Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
email: [e-mail]                      email: [e-mail]

Michael Buzzard, Media Relations                           Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]               Tel: [phone]
email: [e-mail]                     email: [e-mail]

United States                                              South Africa
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations                     Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]               Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
email: [e-mail]                email: [e-mail]



BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Charles (Chip) Goodyear

Charles W (Chip) Goodyear became Chief Executive of BHP Billiton on 6 January
2002. Mr Goodyear will relocate from London to the company's headquarters in
Melbourne to take up his appointment.

Mr Goodyear (44), who joined BHP in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer, has been
BHP Billiton's Chief Development Officer since June 2001 and an executive
director since November 2001.

As Chief Development Officer Chip was responsible for overseeing the group's
portfolio management activities worldwide as well as strategy development and
corporate activity.

In this position he is recognised for completing a number of important
transactions that have further refined the BHP Billiton's asset portfolio and
added significant value for shareholders. They include merger with Billiton plc
and specific transactions including the sale of BHP Billiton's interest in CVRD,
the Intercor acquisition and the exit from Indonesian Coal.

Together with Paul Anderson, Chip is widely credited with turning around the
fortunes of the old BHP.

Mr Goodyear has extensive financial, corporate restructuring and merger and
acquisition experience. He was formerly President of Goodyear Capital
Corporation based in the United States. He is highly regarded in the
international resources industry holding a number of senior positions including
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the NYSE listed
resources company Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

Career

Executive Director & Chief Development Officer 2001 - 2002; Chief Financial
Officer 1999-2001; President Goodyear Capital Corporation 1997-99; Executive
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.1995-97; Senior
Vice President & Chief Investment Officer Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 1993-95; Vice
President Corporate Finance Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 1989-93; Vice President
Kidder, Peabody & Co. 1986-89; Assistant Vice President Kidder, Peabody & Co.
1985-86; Associate Kidder, Peabody & Co. 1983-85

Personal

MBA The Wharton School of Finance University of Pennsylvania; BSc Yale
University, Connecticut.

Married, two children. Recreation: Bicycling,skiing,fishing


BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077                     BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia                                     Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria     Registered Office: 1-3 Strand London WC2N 5HA United Kingdom
3000                                                        Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]
Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]

              The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange