Brian Loton AC (b. 1929) was chairman of BHP from 1992 to 1997. Loton was educated in Perth and Melbourne. After working at the Whyalla shipyards and at Iron Knob during student vacations, he joined BHP in as a general cadet in 1954. He soon became a special cadet, and within ten years of joining the company had risen to the position of Executive Officer, Engineering. He became general manager of the Newcastle steelworks in 1970, executive general manager of the steel division in 1973, chief general manager of the company from 1977 to 1982 and its managing director from 1982 to 1991. He has also held directorships of the National Australia bank, Amcor, Australian Foundation Investment Company, Atlas Copco and North West Shelf Development. He was President of the Victorian Scouts Association from 1997 to 1999, has been a member of a host of professional and fundraising organisations, and has won a number of business, mining and metallurgy awards in Australia and overseas. He has an honorary doctorate from Monash University.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of BHP Billiton 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Brian Dunlop/Copyright Agency, 2021
Accession number: 2003.102
Currently on loan: Trinity College, The University of Melbourne
Copyright image request form
Request a digital copy of an image for publication
BHP Billiton (11 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
As Bryan Westwood’s portrait of Brian Dunlop hangs adjacent to Brian Dunlop’s portrait of the philanthropist Dr Joseph Brown AO OBE, we see the artist of one work as the subject of the other.
Explore portraiture and come face to face with Australian identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity.
Timed ticketing, location, accessibility and amenities
Principal partner
Strategic partner
Cultural partner
Media partner
Beverage partner
Imaging partner
Digital partner
Audio visual partner
