Third executive heads for the door at Fortescue Metals

Another senior figure has left Fortescue Metals Group, becoming the third high-profile departure from the mining giant this week. 

Former Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Guy Debelle has left his role as a non-executive director on Fortescue's green energy arm to work for critical minerals company Tivan.

Dr Debelle told the Australian Financial Review that his resignation took effect on Thursday but he gave notice a few weeks ago and it was unrelated to this week's abrupt departures of chief executive Fiona Hick and chief financial officer Christine Morris.

“I’m moving on. I’ve had a great time, learned a lot at Fortescue, it was a great experience but onto other stuff now,” he told the AFR.

Dr Debelle first joined the Fortescue Future Industries in March 2022 as its chief financial officer, but switched to the non-executive director role in November after suffering serious injuries in a bicycle crash in Perth in August that year to focus on his health.

Tivan, formerly known as TNG, is a $111 million critical minerals company focused on projects in the Northern Territory.

"I am excited to join Tivan who are focused on realising the great opportunity Australia has in the green transition, particularly in the critical minerals space," Dr Debelle was quoted as saying in Tivan's announcement.

Fortescue has been contacted for comment.

Ms Hick's exit was announced on Monday after six months on the job. Ms Morris followed her out on Thursday after three months in her role. 

They are the 10th and 11th senior executives to leave the company in the past three years.

Fortescue shares finished Friday down 5.3 per cent to $20.30.

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