Fortescue Energy ushers in permanent CFO

The division's chief financial officer role will be filled by former OZ Minerals executive Deborah Caudle, following the departure of Forrest empire mainstay Felicity Gooding last week. 

Starting the new role in September, Ms Caudle will work alongside Fortescue Energy chief executive Mark Hutchinson in overseeing Fortescue's green energy arm. 

Prior to this role she was acting chief financial officer of copper miner OZ Minerals, which was absorbed by BHP in a $9.6 billion deal earlier this year. 

She replaces Ms Gooding, who announced she would be leaving FFI at the end of September after more than a decade working across the Forrest's various businesses. 

The incoming CFO said the role was an incredible opportunity to join a company playing a 'world-leading' role in the energy transition. 

“We are at a pivotal moment in time where the choices we make will determine the future of our planet. As the CFO of Fortescue Energy, I will play my part in providing for a better future while creating greater value for our Fortescue shareholders," she said. 

It comes after the group announced it was investing $US24 million ($A35 million) to acquire a 100 per cent interest in Phoenix Hydrogen Hub, LLC (PHH).  

This marked the group’s first major investment in the US following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, with other advanced projects are in locations as diverse as Norway, Texas and Queensland.

The chief financial officer role was last held on a permanent basis by former Reserve Bank of Australian deputy governor Guy Debelle, who quit in November 2022 to recover from a cycling incident. 

It was announced he would stay on as a non-executive director with Fortescue Energy at the time. Business News has sought to clarify whether he is still in this role. 

Fortescue marked its 20-year anniversary earlier this month with a rebrand, with the iron ore business to be named Fortescue Metals and Fortescue Future Industries, to be known as Fortescue Energy.