Former BHP executive Libby Lyons has been appointed director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Ms Lyons is currently based in Adelaide, previously heading BHP Billiton’s corporate affairs for its Olympic Dam project.

She has also worked as General Manager of External Relations at Atlas Iron, as well as holding senior public affairs roles at CITIC Pacific Mining, Alcoa Australia and the Western Power Corporation.

She is also executive chairman of the Perth-based disability charity Kalparrin.

“Ms Lyons has extensive experience including in management, government and public policy. She will play a key role in driving change through working with employers to improve women’s workforce participation,” said Employment Minister Eric Abetz.

“The Government is looking forward to working with Ms Lyons to try and reduce the gender pay gap and to raise awareness of strategies that can assist employers,” Senator Michaelia Cash said.

“Ms Lyons is a fantastic appointment who will bring an extensive set of skills to this important role.”

“The Agency has an important role in helping the Government achieve the G20 target of increasing female workforce participation by 25% by 2025.”

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency is an Australian Government statutory agency charged with promoting and improving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

Non-public sector employers with 100 or more employees are required to report to the Agency annually against gender equality indicators.

The Government has thanked Louise McSorley for acting as Director after the resignation of Helen Conway in March this year.