Meet 48-year-old South African executive who owns $12-million share in world’s largest mining company

In a display of business prowess, South African business executive Gary Nagle has solidified his position as one of the top executives on the African continent while leaving a lasting impact on the global mining industry.

At the age of 45, Nagle made headlines in 2021 when he succeeded South African billionaire Ivan Glasenberg to become the CEO of Glencore. Armed with degrees in commerce and accounting from the prestigious University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, Nagle’s rise through the ranks of Glencore has been nothing short of extraordinary.

As the CEO of Glencore, Nagle’s transformative vision has propelled the Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining giant to tremendous heights, solidifying its position as the world’s largest mining company.

His history with Glencore dates back to the year 2000 when, at the age of 26, he joined the multinational company’s coal business development team in Switzerland. Over the years, Nagle was pivotal in key milestones that shaped Glencore’s success.

Notably, in 2002, he was instrumental in seeding a portfolio of assets to Xstrata during its listing on the London Stock Exchange, which laid the foundation for Glencore’s transformation into a globally diversified natural resource powerhouse.

Nagle’s journey with Glencore took him across the globe, from Colombia to Australia, as he assumed various leadership roles within the organization.

From 2008 to 2013, he served as the CEO of Prodeco in Colombia, demonstrating his ability to steer operations in diverse environments.

Subsequently, Nagle became the head of Glencore’s Ferroalloys assets in South Africa until 2018 where his acumen and foresight contributed significantly to the company’s growth.

Under Nagle’s guidance, Glencore reached new heights in 2022, reporting a record profit of $16.5 billion, owing to a remarkable surge in revenue from $203.75 billion in 2021 to $255.98 billion in 2022. This stellar performance solidifies Glencore’s status as an industry leader, and Nagle’s leadership has been pivotal in steering the company toward continued success.

With an unwavering belief in Glencore’s capacity to thrive, Nagle presently owns a 0.016-percent stake in the company, totaling 2,000,000 shares. As Glencore’s market capitalization reaches a staggering £58.26 billion ($74.45 million) on the London Stock Exchange, the value of Nagle’s stake stands at an impressive £9.46 million ($12.09 million).

As Nagle continues to navigate the dynamic global mining landscape, he cements his place as one of the top executives on the African continent, leaving an indelible mark on Glencore and the industry as a whole.

His journey from a young team member to the CEO of the world’s largest mining company inspires aspiring business leaders worldwide, propelling Glencore to even greater heights in the years to come.