Billionaire Andrew Forrest said his elevation to executive chairman of Fortescue Metals Group was appropriate given the extraordinary decarbonisation challenge facing the world, and he planned to keep the job until the company became a clean energy super-power.

Dr Forrest’s decision to add ultimate executive power to his existing role as Fortescue’s chairman and major shareholder inflamed governance advocates. It was the highlight of a leadership restructure that will give more power and autonomy to the clean energy division of the company.