Anne Lauvergeon and Simon Thompson will join the Rio board as non-executive directors, becoming members of the sustainability and nominations committees.

These appointments will be followed by the retirement of Vivienne Cox as a non-executive director at conclusion of the Rio annual general meeting on April 15.

Rio cited Lauvergeon’s experience as chief executive of French nuclear power company AREVA Group and advisor on international economic affairs at the French presidency.

Lauvergeon is currently a non-executive director of American Express Company, Airbus, Vodafone and Total.

She served previously as non-executive director of French multinational utility company GDF Suez and vice –chair of French aerospace company Safran.

Thompson is expected to bring international investment banking and mining experience to the board, with past roles including non-executive director for both United Company Rusal and AngloGold Ashanti as well as executive director at Anglo American.

He is currently chairman of Tullow Oil and non-executive director at AMEC, Sandvik and Newmont Mining, although he will be retiring from the Newmont board in April.

Rio chairman Jan du Plessis said he was delighted to welcome Lauvergeon and Thompson.

“They boast impressive track records as executives across multiple industries, in addition to which both bring a wealth of experience as non-executive directors of a number of leading international businesses,” he said.

“I am very grateful to Vivienne for all her support to Rio Tinto over the past nine years and wish her well for the future.”

Du Plessis added that the company was making good progress in identifying another Australian to join the board as a non-executive, with a further announcement to this effect expected in due course.

Shares in Rio last closed at $A64.81.