John Varley

Non-executive director

BA, MA (Oxon), MA (London College of Law)

Appointment: Director of Rio Tinto with effect from 1 September 2011 and chairman of the Remuneration committee with effect from 18 October 2011. John was appointed the senior independent non-executive director at the conclusion of the 2012 annual general meetings (notes R, N and I).

Skills and experience: John was chief executive of Barclays PLC from 2004 until 2010.  During a 28-year career with the bank he held a variety of positions, including chairman of the asset management division, group finance director and deputy chief executive. John joined the Barclays' executive committee in 1996 and was appointed a director of Barclays PLC in 1998.

External appointments (current and recent): Senior adviser to Barclays PLC from January to October 2011 and chief executive from 2004 until 2010, non-executive director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009, non-executive director of AstraZeneca plc since 2006, member of the International Advisory Panel of the Monetary Authority of Singapore since 2006, chairman of Marie Curie Cancer Care since 2011, honorary president of the UK Drug Policy Commission since 2007, chairman of Business Action on Homelessness since 2006, president of the Employer's Forum on Disability since 2005.

Notes:
(A) Audit committee
(R) Remuneration committee
(N) Nominations committee
(S) Sustainability committee
(C) Chairman's committee
(I) Independent