Dual-listed Sibanye-Stillwater has announced that Neal Froneman will retire as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and executive director of the Group, effective 30 September 2025. Richard Stewart, currently Chief Regional Officer: Southern Africa region (CRO SA region), will succeed Neal as CEO and executive director, and will be appointed as CEO designate and executive director from 1 March 2025, while continuing his CRO: SA region responsibilities.
Richard’s appointment follows an independent, best practice, succession process overseen by the Board, during which a number of external and internal candidates with appropriate industry credentials and experience were critically assessed for the role. Richard’s appointment is testament to the quality and depth of leadership at Sibanye-Stillwater and the well-considered and effective Group succession planning processes.
Since joining the Group in 2014, Richard has been a key member of its senior leadership team, responsible for jointly charting and implementing the Group’s strategy. Richard has held various Group executive leadership positions including Chief Regional Officer: Southern Africa from 31 May 2022, Chief Operating Officer from 1 December 2020 and prior to that, Executive Vice President: Business Development, during which time he contributed significantly to the successful value-accretive strategic growth into the PGM sector.
Vincent Maphai, Chair of the Sibanye-Stillwater Board commented: “Neal has led the Sibanye-Stillwater Group since 2013, guiding the initial turnaround of the three mature, challenging gold mines that the Group inherited from Gold Fields. From the significantly more profitable and stable base that was established, he subsequently drove the strategic growth and diversification of the Group into what it is today - a multinational mining and metals processing company with a diverse portfolio of operations, projects and investments across five continents. “
“I, along with many of my fellow Board members, have travelled this incredible journey with Neal and I know that my admiration for Neal’s strategic leadership and moral candour during his tenure and gratitude for his unwavering commitment is shared by all. I am sure that these sentiments are echoed throughout Sibanye-Stillwater, where Neal’s inspirational and values-based leadership in the role he defined as “Chief Enabling Officer” will be sorely missed.
Neal leaves a business which is in good health, financially and operationally, with a clear and consistent strategy. We welcome Richard’s appointment and are confident that this internal succession will ensure continuity and a seamless leadership transition, allowing Richard and the Sibanye-Stillwater leadership team to take the Group to new heights and continued creation of shared value for all stakeholders.”
“Neal leaves behind a proud legacy at Sibanye-Stillwater and in the South African mining industry, which is testament to his strategic vision and inspirational leadership. As Neal expressed to me, while he has the same enthusiasm for what he does, and has lost none of his drive, he now wishes to spend more of his time with his family and loved ones and on his many interests. Neal’s legacy extends far beyond his role at Sibanye-Stillwater and he is highly regarded as a thought leader globally. His prominent roles as Chairman of the World Gold Council and co-leading the Crime and Corruption workstream for business in South Africa, amongst other high-level engagements, suggest that he will contribute to the advancement of the global minerals industry in various ways in future.”
