RE:RE:RE:RE:Open the Door.. Pretty poor examples PILGRIM.
Elon Musk has degrees from both Stanford U. (top echelon for scientific research) and Wharton (one of the best business schools). Just proves the point that yes, duh, a relevant educational background actually is a key factor of effectiveness.
Jeff Bezos has a degree from Princeton U, one of the top few Ivy League colleges. In 1986, he graduated with highest honors and Phi Beta Kappa (membership in a national honor society), earning degrees in electrical engineering and the still new field of computer science.
Despite your silly labelling of these brilliant and accomplished men as non "technicians", they actually are just that and much more.
The idea that we should just "wait and see" with Mestrallet must be one of the most foolish approaches that I have ever heard. Top companies vet their potential hires regarding their qualifications and do much due diligence even when they promote their own employees. Meanwhile you haven't even done the slightest of DD concerning Musk and Bezos, leading you to supply examples that are contrary to your illogical point.
Why the obsession to defend Francois Mestrallet? What exactly is your motivation PILGRIM? It's obviously not logic.
The fact remains that Francois Mestrallet, who isn't even qualified to be a board member of a mining company, let alone it's chairman, has NO MINING EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, and NO MINING EXPERIENCE. He is an OLD MAN that is near retirement age, and he LIVES IN FRANCE. Does that sound like a qualified mining company leader to you?
Take a look at the composition of the boards of Canadian precious metals producers. That should be a good first step for you and a call to come back to reality. After all we should care that the company is run by people who are actually qualified to do so, should we?