Current CEO

Background on CEO Lance Hockridge

Lance has a strong career of achievement across transportation and heavy industrial sectors in Australia and the United States. He has an enviable record in senior operational, manufacturing and human resource roles.

Career overview / highlights

Lance started his career focusing on industrial relations following completion of a Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales. He went on to join BHP in 1978 in a role which was a combination of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, primarily with an IR focus. During this time he dealt with many and complex industrial issues whilst working in shipping and stevedoring. In the early 1980’s he continued his career in IR, working his way through more seniors IR managerial positions with BHP Transport. His responsibilities covered day-to-day matters working in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.

In the late 1980’s his career moved from Industrial Relations into general management, where he was appointed manager in charge of BHP Transport’s Port Kembla operations. He was again quickly promoted into operations, responsible for all Australian-based operations for BHP Transport which included port, stevedoring, rail and road. 

In 1992 he was appointed General Manager, BHP Transport which involved the world-wide management of AUD$2 billion, with over 2,300 employees. It was a time of significant reform and change, both in the shipping and stevedoring areas. In terms of size, the business owned or chartered in excess of 100 vessels, which were more than 1% of the world’s dry bulk fleet, 25% of the interstate rail and 20% of road.

In 1996 he moved out of transport into an international corporate role. The position was geographically diverse, with responsibilities covering the oversight of the corporation’s international office network, development of regional business plans and overseas relations with the Australian Government.
He transferred to Newcastle in 1997 to lead the Long Products business. His major work was overseeing a large capital program at Whyalla Steelworks, underpinning both production and logistics transformation of the Long Products business, as well as the integration of various businesses which were eventually spun out by BHP to become OneSteel.

Lance has had a long and successful career with BlueScope Steel, starting with BHP nearly 30 years ago. Lance was a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) that led BlueScope Steel's successful demerger and creation of the new, publicly listed company.

He was named President Industrial Markets in 2000 responsible for Port Kembla's steelmaking operation and New Zealand Steel. Lance was instrumental in improving the levels of productivity, profitability and safety and leading the culture change at New Zealand Steel and Port Kembla Steelworks, setting the direction for today's world class performances.

In March 2005, he was appointed President North America which comprises North Star BlueScope Steel, Butler Buildings, Castrip LLC and the North American and European export trading. Lance was recognised by the management team as responsible for leading the major turnaround in safety, production and financial performances at the BlueScope North American operations – North Star BlueScope Steel, Butler Buildings and Vistawall. Lance led a number of successful special projects including the Butler acquisition team, the resolution of section 201 North American trade issue, and the sale of the Company's Vistawall business.