BHP's new chairman Nasser to take reins March 30

Last August the firm named Nasser, veteran former CEO of Ford Motor Co , as its new chairman, saying he would take over early in 2010, but giving no exact date.

He is succeeding Don Argus, chairman for more than 10 years, who is retiring.

Nasser, whose reputation as a cost-cutter at Ford earned him the nickname "Jac the Knife," joined the BHP board as a non-executive director in 2006 and is a member of the board's risk and audit committee.

When he takes over as BHP chairman, Nasser will give up executive management duties with One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JP Morgan , but stay on in an non-executive and advisory role, a statement said.

He will also remain a director of British Sky Broadcasting Plc and a member of the International Advisory Council of Allianz AG , BHP said.

"My priority commitment will be the chairmanship of BHP Billiton, duly recognising the challenges of a dual-listed company structure and the requirements to represent the interests of all shareholders in our key markets," Nasser said.

(Reporting by Eric Onstad)