Richard Lilleike

Executive Head, Strategy & Business Development Exxaro Resources

Richard Lilleike (53) is the Executive Head of Strategy and Business Development at Exxaro Resources, where he leads the execution of the company’s diversification strategy and oversees strategic planning and implementation. He holds a BSc in Engineering (Electromechanical) from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand. Richard brings more than 25 years of experience in management consulting and investment banking, having held senior roles at Standard Chartered Bank and Marsh McLennan, specialising in mergers and acquisitions and corporate strategy. His career began at Eskom, where he worked as an engineer-in-training and later as a power station system engineer, providing a strong technical foundation for his strategic leadership roles. At Exxaro, Richard is passionate about driving innovation, sustainability, and energy transition, positioning the company to thrive in a rapidly evolving global mining landscape. His insights focus on creating resilient strategies that unlock growth while advancing the industry’s shift toward a low-carbon future.