# Noel Pillay

Chief Operating Officer, Aluminium Business Unit

## Career chronology

- **As reported at 2026-10-31; dates where documented in findings: South32** — Chief Operating Officer, Aluminium Business Unit. [FY2026 annual report](<https://financialfilings.com/filings/south32-limited/annual-report/2026/57660055/>) (Printed p.143 and 2024 annual report p.80); [FY2024 annual report](<https://www.sharedata.co.za/data/015829/pdfs/SOUTH32_ar_jun24.pdf>) (Printed p.80, Noel Pillay biography)

## Education and qualifications

### Issuer-reported qualifications [pillay-education]

As reported in annual report · issuer reported · low materiality

The FY2024 report says he holds a National Higher Diploma from the University of Johannesburg; independent checks incomplete.

**Attribution:** Responsibility not applicable. Issuer biography, not independent verification.

**Relevance:** Professional training and experience.

[FY2026 annual report](<https://financialfilings.com/filings/south32-limited/annual-report/2026/57660055/>) (Printed p.143 and 2024 annual report p.80); [FY2024 annual report](<https://www.sharedata.co.za/data/015829/pdfs/SOUTH32_ar_jun24.pdf>) (Printed p.80, Noel Pillay biography)

## Industrial safety

### Cerro Matoso fatality and FY2025 incentive decision [pillay-cerro]

September 2024; FY2025 · issuer reported · high materiality

In September 2024 contractor José Luis Pérez died at Cerro Matoso after a floor grate failed. South32 reported an investigation and site inspections. Its board applied a negative FY2025 short-term incentive modifier of 10% to Noel Pillay in recognition of the fatality. The board decision does not establish individual fault.

**Attribution:** Role overlaps event; causation unproven. The board directly disclosed the modifier; individual causation is not established.

**Relevance:** Safety oversight during company tenure.

[FY2025 annual report](<https://www.south32.net/docs/default-source/exchange-releases/2025-annual-report-0xe6d669a6f3e24e25.pdf>) (Printed pp.30, 147–148 (physical PDF pp.32, 149–150), safety account and FY2025 business modifier; visually checked)

## Governance and interests

### Board assessment after fatality and Hermosa cost change [pillay-board-modifier]

FY2026 · issuer reported · high materiality

The board applied a negative FY2026 short-term incentive business modifier of 10% to Noel Pillay, considering the March 2026 Worsley fatality and changes to Hermosa Taylor timelines and growth capital. It said the different modifiers reflected relative executive accountability. This board assessment does not establish personal causation of the death.

**Attribution:** Role overlaps event; causation unproven. The board directly described its incentive decision and accountability assessment, not personal culpability.

**Relevance:** Safety, project oversight and board assessment.

[FY2026 annual report](<https://financialfilings.com/filings/south32-limited/annual-report/2026/57660055/>) (Printed p.163, FY2026 business modifier; visually checked)

## Suitability for the current role

### Experience and responsibilities [pillay-fit]

As reported through August 2026 · analyst inference · low materiality

Appointed COO for Southern Africa and Colombia in October 2021; now leads aluminium business unit and reports to CEO, while no longer a member of the lead team. Previously operations VP at Worsley and Hillside. The relevance to the present role is an analyst inference; company descriptions do not measure individual delivery.

**Attribution:** Responsibility not applicable. Issuer biography and analytical inference; exact prior dates are incomplete.

**Relevance:** Relevant to the current assigned mandate.

[FY2026 annual report](<https://financialfilings.com/filings/south32-limited/annual-report/2026/57660055/>) (Printed p.143 and 2024 annual report p.80); [FY2024 annual report](<https://www.sharedata.co.za/data/015829/pdfs/SOUTH32_ar_jun24.pdf>) (Printed p.80, Noel Pillay biography)

## Evidence gaps

- Independent verification of education, qualifications and any current professional registration remains incomplete.

- Full person-specific searches of each employer, court, regulator, sanctions, safety and environmental records are incomplete; no clearance is implied.

- Exact past role dates, individual contribution and responsibility are not fully established.

- The final WorkSafe and coronial outcome for the March 2026 Worsley fatality was not established.