Worsley Alumina asset president Ricus Grimbeek has been appointed as president and chief operating officer elect Australia, to be based in Perth, while BHP president, human resources Mike Fraser has been appointed as president and COO Africa, to be based in Johannesburg.

NewCo CEO-elect Graham Kerr said he was delighted to appoint such high-calibre people to key leadership roles.

“Ricus and Mike bring not only deep operational expertise, but the best of BHP Billiton’s values and skills, including their relentless commitment to health, safety and our communities,” he said.

“Through this depth of experience they are well placed to further improve the performance of our operations.”

BHP vice president human resources, marketing Athalie Williams will replace Fraser at BHP, joining the group management committee on January 1 and will relocate from Singapore to Melbourne.

The company announced other management changes, with aluminium, manganese and nickel president Daniel Malchuk to become copper president from March, though he will retain responsibility for Nickel West.

Malchuk replaces Peter Beaven, who will replace Kerr as chief financial officer of BHP, while acting copper president Edgar Basto will move to a new senior leadership role to be announced soon.

President health safety environment (HSE), marketing and technology Mike Henry will relocate to Brisbane to become coal president, while current coal boss Dean Dalla Valle will relocate to Melbourne to replace Henry.

Margaret Taylor has been appointed as company secretary to replace Jane McAloon, who will leave the company next year.

Meanwhile, BHP said the spin-off was on track for completion in mid-2015, with more details to be announced in March ahead of the key shareholder vote in May.

“We are building a new company from the ground up and the process of establishing our regional operating model and leadership team is progressing to plan,” Kerr said.

“With our 12 selected assets already well positioned in their respective industries, and the opportunity to further reduce overheads and increase productivity, we are well placed to benefit from the strong demand forecast for our products.”

BHP director David Crawford will chair the new company, with fellow BHP directors Keith Rumble and Xolani Mkhwanazi to join him and Kerr on the board.

“We have made considerable progress towards developing the brand of the new company and in identifying additional prospective directors,” Crawford said.

“We will announce the name and proposed directors before shareholders are asked to vote on the proposal.”

BHP shareholders will receive 100% of the shares in NewCo.

Shares in BHP jumped nearly 4% to $A32.95.