Outgoing BlueScope exec named new QR boss

<p>The BlueScope Steel president for North America, Lance Hockridge, has been named Queensland Rail’s new chief executive.</p> <p>Mr Hockridge’s resignation from BlueScope Steel was announced last Thursday (August 9).</p> <p>He will leave the company within the next three months.</p> <p>Mr Hockridge has worked in transport, operational, manufacturing and human resource roles at both BlueScope Steel and the BHP Billiton Group.</p> <p>According to BlueScope Steel managing director and chief executive Kirby Adams, Mr Hockridge was instrumental in improving the levels of productivity, profitability and safety at New Zealand Steel and Port Kembla Steelworks.</p> <p>In March 2005, he was appointed president North America, comprising North Star BlueScope Steel, Butler Buildings, Castrip LLC and the North American and European export trading.</p> <p>He is credited with leading a major turnaround of safety, production and financial performance in the BlueScope business in North America.</p> <p>&#8220He is leaving the North American business in excellent shape,&#8221 Mr Adams said.</p> <p>&#8220Lance will be greatly missed by all of us at BlueScope Steel. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.&#8221</p> <p>The Texan will relocate to Queensland with his wife Suzanne &#8211 who is originally from Brisbane &#8211 and two young children in the coming months.</p> <p>A spokesman for QR said a start date for Mr Hockridge was yet to be determined.</p> <br />