Tony Cudmore will become president of corporate affairs at BHP Billiton, $70B Anglo-Australian mining (coal, iron ore, copper, nickel, manganese), petroleum, aluminum powerhouse, on March 3.

The Exxon Mobil international corporate brand communications and Asia-Pacific government relations chief will succeed Karen Wood, who has been acting head of corporate affairs during the past six months.

Cudmore joined Exxon Mobil in 2001 in Melbourne and switched to global headquarters in Texas in 2006.

He returned to Australia in 2012 with responsibilities for corporate reputation/brand PR matters outside the U.S. He also supported U.S. corporate advertising and corporate social responsibility efforts.

Prior to the oil giant, Cudmore was assistant director of the Australian Institute of Petroleum and principal advisor to the former premier of Victoria.

At BHPB, Cudmore will report to CEO Andrew Mackenzie.