Goodyear to retire as BHP Billiton chief executive

BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer Chip Goodyear announced he will retire from the company by the end of calendar 2007.

"After nine years with the company, and what will be five years as CEO, I have decided it is an appropriate time for the organisation to transition to the next generation of leadership," Goodyear said.

The company's chairman Don Argus said it had a "number of strong internal candidates" who could take over the role of chief executive, although it would also be considering external candidates.