Anglo American today hired Sir Philip Hampton, the chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), to its board in the first of a series of moves to strengthen the mining giant’s management.

The move is part of a strategy by Sir John Parker, chairman of the company, to reassure investors it can survive as an independent company after Xstrata withdrew an unsolicited merger approach earlier this year.

Sir John said: "I am delighted to welcome Sir Philip Hampton to Anglo American, the first in a series of appointments as we refresh the board.”

He added: "Sir Philip brings a wealth of financial, strategic and boardroom experience across a number of industries and I look forward to working with him as we continue to deliver value at Anglo American."

Before becoming RBS chairman, Sir Philip was chairman of J Sainsbury.

He began his career in investment banking at Lazard before moving into industry in 1990 by becoming finance director of British Steel. He then went on to the same role at British Gas where is he credited with the successful split of that group into Centrica and BG Group. He took the finance director role at BG and then went on to BT.

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