Rio Tinto has appointed Trudi Charles as Chief Legal Officer, Governance & Corporate Affairs, replacing Isabelle Deschamps in the role. Charles will join the mining company on August 1, 2026.

Charles currently serves as Deputy General Counsel and Senior Vice President Legal, Supply, Trading & Shipping at BP plc. She has worked at BP for over 20 years in various senior legal positions across the company's downstream and supply, trading & shipping operations.

Prior to BP, Charles spent nearly eight years with Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in London and Hong Kong. She is admitted to practice law in England & Wales, Hong Kong, and Queensland.

"Trudi brings deep legal experience and strong commercial insight. I look forward to having her join the executive team and lead our legal, governance and corporate affairs teams," said Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott.

The announcement was authorized for release by Andy Hodges, Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary, according to the company's press release.