So it was Malcolm Bundey who Perth-based MinRes plucked from obscurity to become non-executive chairman on Monday. This was the result of an “extensive international search”. Eye roll. Bundey has never been an ASX chairman before (he is the deputy chair of the $4 billion Brickworks). He’s based in Melbourne. He also hasn’t worked a single day in the mining industry.

The “extensive global search” nonsense is becoming a real bugbear. Frivolous window dressing to justify the fees paid to recruitment firms. Nine Entertainment (publisher of this masthead) spruiked its “comprehensive international search” for its new CEO, to then name the interim chief Matt Stanton in March. Last year, the AFL concluded a 13-month “incredibly competitive” search to find Gil McLachlan’s replacement, to end up with Andrew Dillon, the guy down the hall. A Richard Goyder succession special.