BlueScope announces first female CEO as Mark Vassella prepares to retire
Incoming CEO to be paid $1.85 million a year.
BlueScope has confirmed Tania Archibald will become its first managing director and Chief Executive Officer, starting February 1, 2026, in a leadership transition described as a milestone in the company’s modern history.
Archibald will be the first woman to lead BlueScope, which has been a stand-alone company for 23 years since its split from BHP in 2002.
She will replace Mark Vassella, who will remain in the role until 31 January 2026, and then provide transition support before retiring on 1 July 2026.
Archibald said she was honoured to step into the role: “I’m proud to lead our talented teams into the next era and remain committed to supporting our customers, our people, our shareholders and our communities.”
Archibald’s fixed annual pay as CEO will be $1.85 million plus incentives. Vassella’s current fixed pay is $2.015 million.
Archibald first entered the steel industry in 1996 with BHP. Raised on a farm near Ballarat, she studied economics at Monash University. She worked at Arthur Andersen before responding to a BHP job advertisement that set her on a three-decade career spanning finance, strategy, operations and international leadership.
She later served as BlueScope’s Chief Financial Officer from 2018 to 2023 and is currently Chief Executive Australian Steel Products.
BlueScope Chair Jane McAloon, who became the company’s first female board chair last year, said Archibald emerged as the standout candidate after a global search.
“Tania is a highly capable executive who has demonstrated outstanding leadership over her 30-year career at BlueScope,” she said.
“Her commitment to safety, customers, and sustainability gives us great confidence in her ability to lead the Group into its next phase.”
McAloon also thanked outgoing Vassella, describing him as a values-driven leader who strengthened the company through significant global and industry challenges.
Vassella said it was the right moment to hand over.
“It has been a privilege to lead BlueScope. Tania and I have worked closely for many years, and she is absolutely the right person to take BlueScope forward,” he said.
The Illawarra’s eight State and Federal MPs were quick to congratulate Vassella on his retirement.
A joint statement said: “Mr Vassella has been instrumental in the cultural shift inside BlueScope for diversity and inclusion, with a 25 per cent increase in female workforce participation and advancement of women in leadership inside the company.
“The $1.15 billion relining of the Number 6 Blast Furnace is absolutely vital to the continued effective operation of steelmaking in the Illawarra, securing local jobs over the long term and improving the environmental outcomes for local operations. Illawarra MPs acknowledge Mr Vassella’s critical role in advancing this major project, supported by $136.8 million in Australian Government funding.
“His legacy will also live on in one of the largest land transformation projects in the world, transforming 200 hectares of surplus industrial land into a multi-industrial precinct that will create new industries, thousands of local jobs, and position Port Kembla on the world stage of innovation.
“All Illawarra MPs send our thanks to Mr Vassella for his passion and commitment to our community and wish him well in the future.”