The board of Australia-based steel company BlueScope has named Tania Archibald the company’s new managing director and CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2026. Archibald, who is chief executive of BlueScope’s Australian Steel Products business, will succeed Mark Vassella upon his retirement and be based at BlueScope’s Melbourne head office.
Vassella led BlueScope for eight years, having joined the company following its 2007 acquisition of Smorgon Steel Distribution, where he was the chief executive. He was appointed chief executive of Australian Distribution and Solutions before moving to the U.S. as President, BlueScope Steel North America in 2008. He returned to Australia in 2011 to take up the role of chief executive of BlueScope Australia and New Zealand.
“Mark is an exceptional, values-based leader,” BlueScope Chair Jane McAloon says. “He has navigated the group through unprecedented challenges while steadfastly prioritizing our people and our communities. Under his stewardship, BlueScope has evolved into a structurally resilient business. Mark has led BlueScope with clarity and conviction, humility and warmth. By every measure, he has been an outstanding CEO, and we thank him sincerely and wish him well in his retirement. He will be greatly missed.”
Archibald previously served as BlueScope’s chief financial officer and also held leadership roles in finance, strategy and business development in the corporate function and across Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Her appointment follows a comprehensive global search by the board, which included the evaluation of a strong internal pipeline and external candidates.
“We are delighted to appoint Tania to be the fourth CEO since BlueScope listed on the ASX [Australian Stock Exchange] 23 years ago,” McAloon says. “Tania is a highly capable executive who has demonstrated outstanding leadership over the course of her 30-year career at BlueScope. She is passionate about the uplift of our safety performance and well-being of our people and is committed to delivering for our customers. Her track record in driving sustainability, financial resilience and operational excellence gives the board great confidence in her ability to lead the group and deliver on the next phase of BlueScope’s strategy.”
“I’d like to thank the BlueScope board for their trust and confidence and to thank Mark for his tremendous leadership in building the strong company BlueScope is today,” Archibald says. “I’m proud to lead our talented teams into the next era and am committed to working hard for our customers, our people, our shareholders and our local communities.”
Vassella says, “This is the right time to hand over, and the board has appointed an outstanding successor. Tania and I have worked together for many years, and I know that she has the skill, judgment and capability to lead BlueScope.
“It has been a privilege to lead BlueScope and work with such a brilliant team. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and confident the company is well-positioned for continued success.”
Source: https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/tania-archibald-to-replace-mark-vassella-as-bluescope-ceo/