BHP head to focus on downturn after Rio failure

By Eric Onstad

LONDON (Reuters) - BHP Billiton (BLT.L: Quote) Chief Executive Marius Kloppers will likely use the same pragmatic resolve to grapple with a collapse in metals markets that he did in ditching a mega takeover of mining rival Rio Tinto (RIO.L: Quote).

The 46-year-old South African fought hard during a year-long battle to swallow Rio, but ultimately his bid was undone by the world's worst financial crisis since the 1930s Great Depression.

Melbourne-based Kloppers' name was thrust into the media spotlight when he took the helm of BHP Billiton just over a year ago, and weeks later launched the audacious tilt at Rio.

Yet, for such a high-profile person, surprisingly little is written about Kloppers himself, his motivators or his personality.

Publicly, he is the highly-educated and determined businessman with superb organizational skills and a clear vision of what he wants to achieve.

Kloppers also served two years in the South African army, has a taste for Bob Dylan songs, is a vegetarian, and is well-liked by his staff.

He is notorious for abhorring desk clutter, although a company spokeswoman denies claims that pictures of sweethearts and families are forbidden in the workplace.

Now, in the wake of the Rio deal, analysts and investors have widely supported his decision as the right one considering the turmoil on financial markets and Chairman Don Argus has said Kloppers had the full support of the board.