Franz Wentzel

Franz Wentzel is a global consulting and industry executive with more than 25 years of experience leading high-impact transformations and strategic growth in mining, manufacturing and asset-intensive sectors. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Franz serves as a trusted advisor to boards and C-suites, recognised for delivering commercial outcomes through inclusive leadership and operational excellence.

Franz's expertise spans leadership with global client accountability, strategy execution and value creation, post-merger integration, operating model design, digital transformation and change management. He has demonstrated proven capability in board reporting, stakeholder engagement, operational excellence, supply chain optimisation and entrepreneurial business building.

As the former global mining and metals industry leader at a Big Four consulting organisation, Franz has served as lead partner on transformation programs for BHP, Rio Tinto, Peabody Energy, Yancoal, Newcrest and numerous other major clients, mentoring teams and implementing rigorous quality standards. He has been involved in designing operating models, leading post-merger integration programs and managing complex mining optimisation projects.

In 2005, he founded and led a manufacturing business in Pretoria, South Africa, scaling the vertically integrated manufacturing startup to a profitable multimillion-ZAR business with more than 45 employees before exiting via share sale.

Relevant Experience:

• Designed and led transformation programs that delivered in excess of AUD4 billion in capital and AUD750 million annualised recurring operational savings
• Deep operational background and technical expertise spanning 25 operational sites, five ports, various corporate offices and functions across four continents and eight countries
• Integration lead advisor of an AUD1.3 billion coal acquisition in Queensland, including due diligence support pre-transaction through to legal day one ownership and completion; continued support post-acquisition, including technology transformation and operations establishment
• Program lead for asset management operating model design of a global diversified mining organisation
• Value chain optimisation program lead of a large multinational mining organisation