Assuming you were Simon Thompson what would you recommend to the Rio Tinto board to do?

As an AI, I don't have personal experiences, but I can suggest what someone in Simon Thompson's position might recommend to the Rio Tinto board based on general business strategies:

1. Prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): Given the increasing importance of ESG factors in business, it would be advisable to prioritize these in the company's operations. This could involve investing in more sustainable mining practices, improving worker conditions, and increasing transparency in the company's governance.

2. Improve Stakeholder Relations: The company has faced criticism from various stakeholders, including indigenous communities and environmental groups. Improving relations with these groups could involve better communication, more involvement in decision-making, and efforts to address their concerns.

3. Diversify Operations: To reduce the company's reliance on iron ore, it might be advisable to diversify into other minerals or related industries. This could help to protect the company from fluctuations in the iron ore market.

4. Invest in Technology: Investing in new technologies could help to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the company's operations. This could involve things like automation, data analysis, and new mining techniques.

5. Improve Corporate Governance: Given the recent controversies, it might be advisable to review and improve the company's corporate governance. This could involve changes to the board, improved oversight of operations, and better risk management.

Remember, these are general suggestions and would need to be tailored to the specific circumstances and challenges facing Rio Tinto.