Sainsbury's Distribution Centre at Waltham Point is the company's largest depot (the equivalent of 12 football fields). I worked in the Chill Chamber, where we would handle several million individual products on a daily basis, all destined for Sainsbury's stores in the greater London area.As Stock Controller, I was part of a small team that used the "Red Prairie" stock management system to resolve many of the queries, discrepancies and issues that invariably occurred on every shift. Our objective was to ensure the accurate and efficient flow of products from receipt through shipment to the stores.I also helped receive and pick products as well as train colleagues in these roles.

In 1996, I was appointed Secretary to the Executive Committee, which met for two days every month and covered major financial, operational, strategic and human resource issues. The ability to write clear and concise minutes (which were also distributed to the main board) capturing the essence of the discussion was an important aspect of this role.In 1997, Billiton migrated from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to the London Stock Exchange. I was appointed Company Secretary, leading a small team of professionals. Key duties included:- Administration of the Board and all the Board committees, including the aforementioned Executive Committee, as well as the Audit Committee, the Financial Risk Management Committee and the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee.- Ensuring external regulatory compliance. This encompassed Companies Act and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) compliance, including adherence to the UK Corporate Governance code.- Ensuring internal compliance with the Group's approval framework, including matters reserved for the Board. - Preparation for the Annual General Meeting including drafting the AGM circular (with assistance from Linklaters LLP).- Assistance with compilation of the Annual Report.- Supporting role on mergers and acquisitions.Once the merger between Billiton and BHP had been announced in 2001, I was appointed leader of a joint-team tasked to develop an appropriate approval framework for the new entity (BHP Billiton).

In 1989, I joined Billiton's energy division. This unit had embarked upon a US$1 billion mega-project (Mossgas) to develop an offshore gas field at Mossel Bay in South Africa. Key duties included:- Preparation of the project team monthly management report and compilation of the team budget.- Preparation of the Mossgas project cash flow report. In 1993, I was appointed Corporate Management Accountant at Billiton's aluminium division. The unit was constructing a new US$1 billion aluminium smelter (referred to as Hillside) in Richards Bay, South Africa. Key duties spanned:- The design and production of a monthly management report, encompassing all aspects of the project from construction, engineering and procurement to finance and administration.- Responsibility for the Hillside project financial model.- Production of the Aluminium division's business plan and assistance with the division's monthly financial results.In 1994, following completion of the Hillside aluminium smelter project, I moved to Billiton's corporate office in Johannesburg, reporting to the Executive Director: Minerals. My keys tasks as Manager Finance and Business Development were:- Team leader for a pre-feasibility study into the development of a mineral sands deposit (known as TiGen) in northern Mozambique. This involved co-ordinating the activities of twelve specialists (ranging from engineering, geology and metallurgy). The budget for the study was US$1 million, and Board approval was given to proceed to the next phase of the study.- Team leader for a pre-feasibility study into the development of a zinc refinery in South Africa. The study's budget approximated US$500,000 and involved directing a team of specialists.- Advancement of Billiton's mineral sands business in India.I joined Billiton's International Gold unit in 1995, where I assisted with the sale of the company's West African gold assets (valued around US$200 million) to a Canadian listed entity.

Following completion of my Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1986, I joined Professional Assignments Group, an interim management company, based in Johannesburg. During this period, I undertook varied accountancy roles. Typical tasks included:- Implementation of a new fixed assets system.- Preparation of monthly financial accounts, including month-end journal adjustments.- Reconciliation of general ledger account balances.- Supervision of debtors' and creditors' personnel.- Maintenance of a standard costing system, involving the costing and pricing of products.- Payment of overseas creditors.- Physical stock counts and agreement to the stock control account in the general ledger.

During this period, I sailed world-wide on various types of vessels: Cargo, container, bulk ore and refrigerated fruit ships; initially as a cadet and later, once qualified, as a deck officer.