BHP's Jordaan is IFM's new chief

International Ferro Metals has appointed former BHP Billiton manager Christiaan Jordaan as its new chief executive, after it found a replacement for incumbent David Kovarsky earlier than expected.

Mr Jordaan, a mechanical engineer, will replace Mr Kovarsky, 63, in August, five months before the latter's contract was due to expire. He was general manager at BHP's South Africa-based Metalloys division from 2008, running one of the largest producers of manganese alloys in the world.

Mr Jordaan's tasks at International Ferro Metals will include pushing ahead with a cost-reduction programme that saw IFM cut costs by 10 per cent from last year with the promise of a further 5 per cent this year.