Vanessa Torres

Vanessa Torres has been appointed Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Perenti, commencing 1 June 2026, bringing more than 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the global resources industry and a strong track record in driving growth, business transformation and building high performing teams in complex global operations.

Most recently, Vanessa held the role of Chief Operating Officer at South32, where she led operational performance and strategic execution across the company’s Australian portfolio. She joined South32 in 2018 and held a series of senior leadership positions including Chief Technology Officer and Chief Technical Officer, driving innovation, technical excellence and business improvement across diversified mining assets. Prior to South32, Vanessa spent 11 years at BHP in a range of executive roles spanning strategy, operations and infrastructure, and held senior leadership positions with Vale in South and North America, gaining deep experience across multiple commodities and global markets.

Vanessa’s career is marked by her ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams, deliver business transformation and enhance operational performance in challenging environments. Her experience covers strategic planning, technology implementation, operational turnaround, and growth initiatives across both operational and technical disciplines.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, a Master of Engineering and a Doctorate in Minerals Engineering. She has also completed executive education programs in strategy and finance at leading international institutions and is recognised for her commitment to industry leadership, inclusion and development of future talent.