Mining group BHP said on Wednesday that Ross McEwan, a current board director, would be its new chairman after Ken MacKenzie retires on March 31.

The former NAB banker will be the next chairman of the world’s biggest mining company, leading the board from March 31.

Ross McEwan will lead the search for a new chief executive at the Australian mining giant, which exited the FTSE four years ago

Incoming BHP chairman Ross McEwan will determine the long-term future of the mining giant, given the hardened banker will be the one who makes the call on the successor to chief executive Mike Henry.

BHP’s leadership focus is expected to shift to finding a suitable successor for chief executive Mike Henry after the mining giant locked in former National Australia Bank chief executive Ross McEwan as its next chairman.

Ross McEwan will replace Ken MacKenzie as BHP's chair at the end of March, a year after he stood down as boss of National Australia Bank, where he spent five years in charge.

BHP Group has appointed Ross McEwan as chairman, replacing Ken MacKenzie who will retire from the board at the end of next month.