Barrick Gold Announces New Financial Leadership Appointment

Barrick Mining CA0679011084

Barrick Gold Corporation is implementing a significant change in its executive financial leadership. The mining giant has appointed current board member Helen Cai to the role of Chief Financial Officer, effective March 1, 2026. This move occurs during a period of substantial executive transition and ongoing strategic evaluation for the company.

The company confirmed that Helen Cai will assume the positions of Senior Executive Vice President and CFO starting March 1, 2026. She will succeed Graham Shuttleworth, who is set to depart following the publication and filing of Barrick's 2025 annual financial statements.

To ensure a seamless handover, Shuttleworth will work closely with Cai until his departure, facilitating a gradual transfer of responsibilities and maintaining continuity in financial management.

Cai brings relevant sector expertise to the role, having served on Barrick's board since November 2021. Her prior career includes tenures at Goldman Sachs and China International Capital Corporation, where she focused on equity research, mergers and acquisitions, and capital market financing, with particular emphasis on mining and industrial companies.

Interim President and CEO Mark Hill highlighted the importance of Cai's extensive experience in both finance and the mining sector for Barrick's goals of improving operational performance and creating shareholder value. Hill also expressed gratitude for Shuttleworth's contributions over his seven-year tenure.

Part of a Broader Executive Reshuffle

The CFO change is one element of a wider leadership restructuring at the senior management level. This follows the departure of former CEO Mark Bristow in September of last year, which precipitated several other exits from the upper echelons of the company.

These leadership shifts coincide with a phase of strategic review. According to market reports, Barrick is evaluating a potential initial public offering for a minority stake in its North American gold assets. Market observers interpret the ongoing management overhaul under Interim CEO Hill as an effort to sharpen the corporation's strategic focus and enhance its market valuation. The company's shares have historically traded at a discount to some peers, a situation partly attributed to the geopolitical risk profile of its asset portfolio.

The future impact of the new finance chief will likely be measured by upcoming capital market decisions and the execution of any potential strategic transactions.

Upcoming Financial Report to Set the Stage

Before Cai officially takes the financial helm, a key milestone is on the calendar. Barrick will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on February 5. This financial report will be produced entirely under the responsibility of the outgoing CFO, Graham Shuttleworth.

These figures are expected to provide critical insights into the company's operational progress and financial health. Furthermore, they will establish the baseline from which the new financial leadership, beginning in March, will define its priorities and guide the company's subsequent strategic execution.