His predecessor is leaving under a cloud. His predecessor-designate lasted only three weeks in the job. If Paul Skinner and Jim Leng – both managers with years of experience in mining and minerals – cannot make a success of chairing Rio Tinto, what chance does a man steeped in the worlds of tobacco and luxury goods have?

Yet Jan du Plessis, Rio’s latest choice for the role, will have little time to sit back and acclimatise.