Cockerill, a geologist, took over as Endeavour's chief executive in 2024 after Sebástien de Montessus was dismissed, having previously served as the company's deputy chair. Earlier he rose through Anglo American and De Beers, was chief executive of Gold Fields and later ran Anglo's coal division, before a non-executive career on boards including Ivanhoe Mines and BHP. Since taking charge he has had to manage the fallout from his predecessor's exit and a hostile political climate in parts of West Africa, notably Mali.
