Our Leadership

B.Com (Hons), FGIA

Cliff Lawrenson was appointed Non-Executive Chairman in October 2019.

Cliff is an experienced non-executive director having served on or chaired public and private companies for over 15 years after a successful career in executive leadership, including in investment banking. Cliff holds postgraduate qualifications in commerce and finance, and has worked extensively in the resources and energy sectors across the world. He has a successful track record of leading strategic direction in companies and executing complex corporate transactions.

Cliff was Managing Director of Atlas Iron Ltd from 2017 and led the company to its acquisition by Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd. Prior to Atlas Iron, he was Managing Director of a number of ASX listed companies in the mining and mining services sectors. Cliff was a senior executive of CMS Energy Corporation in the United States of America and Singapore and this was preceded by an investment banking career.

Cliff is currently Non-Executive Director of Australian Vanadium Limited (ASX:AVL) and Non-Executive Chairman of privately owned Pacific Energy Limited.

BAppSci, PhD

Dr Jon Hronsky was appointed Non-Executive Director in March 2023.

Jon has more than thirty-five years of experience in the global mineral exploration industry, primarily focused on project generation, technical innovation and exploration strategy development. He has worked across a diverse range of commodities and geographies. His targeting work led to the discovery of the West Musgrave nickel sulfide province in Western Australia. Jon’s experience includes leadership roles in both major mining and junior mining companies, and he has consulted globally for the last 16 years. In January 2019 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the mining industry.

Jon is one of the Principals at Western Mining Services, a global geological consultancy and also an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Exploration Targeting at UWA. He is also a Non-Executive Director of ASX listed Encounter Resources (ASX: ENR), Caspin Resources (ASX: CPN), Strickland Metals Limited (ASX: STK) and a General Partner – Global Targeting and Research at Ibaera Capital. Previously, Jon was Manager-Strategy & Generative Services for BHP Billiton Mineral Exploration and was Global Geoscience Leader for WMC Resources Ltd.

FCA (ICAEW), FCA (CAANZ), GAICD, BSc (Hons Mathematics & Statistics)

Joanne Palmer was appointed Non-Executive Director in May 2021.

Joanne is a Registered Company Auditor and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, England and Wales. She brings over 26 years of industry experience providing audit and assurance services on company listings, mergers, acquisitions and takeovers and significant experience in auditing international mining companies.

Joanne has had an extensive financial services career as a former equity partner at EY, including leading EY’s Financial Accounting Advisory Services team in Perth, working predominantly in the mining sector assisting both multinational companies, mid-caps and junior explorers with technical accounting, regulatory advice and finance function support services.

Joanne is a council member and Treasurer of the Association of Mining & Exploration Companies (AMEC) and a Non-Executive Director of NextOre Pty Ltd, St Barbara Limited (ASX:SBM) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX:KAR).

BCom, FCA, FAICD

Ian Purdy joined Paladin in February 2020.

Ian is a highly respected executive with more than three decades’ experience within Australian and international natural resources companies.

In his time as a CEO and CFO of listed and private companies, Ian has delivered significant shareholder value through managing and optimising operations, delivering large projects and executing on business improvements and asset sales.

Ian was previously the CFO of Quadrant Energy, Managing Director and CEO of Mirabela Nickel, Managing Director of Norilsk Nickel Australia, Director of Finance and Strategy of LionOre Australia, and has held senior finance and commercial roles at North Limited and WMC Limited.

BSc, MBA, GAICD

Paul Hemburrow joined Paladin in February 2023.

Paul is a senior operations executive with over 30 years’ experience in the resource industry, covering multiple commodities in mining, processing, port operations and rail in complex operating environments.

Paul spent 17 years with Rio Tinto, where he held several positions, from Manager Port Operations to General Manager (GM) of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited. After that, he worked for BHP for almost 8 years, as GM of Transformation, GM of the Blackwater Mine, GM of the Yandi Mine and, lastly, as the GM of Area C. Most recently, he was the GM of Aurizon’s Central Queensland Coal Network.

BSc, (Geol), Member AIG

Jess Oram joined Paladin in June 2021.

Jess is an experienced exploration geologist with 30 years’ experience in mineral exploration and management across a variety of commodities, companies and countries. He has significant experience in uranium exploration and has been involved in mineral discovery, resource delineation and expansion and mining feasibility studies.

Jess’ previous roles include Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of Cauldron Energy Ltd, GM Exploration of Axiom Mining Limited, Exploration Manager of Polymetals Mining Limited, and Chief Geologist – Exploration of Heathgate Resources / Quasar Resources.

Jess is a Non-Executive Director of Polymetals Resources Limited (ASX:POL).

LLB, BIur(Juris), BCom

Johan Roux joined Langer Heinrich in 2017.

Johan is a legal professional with over 30 years’ experience in the management of corporate labour, mining, commercial, human resources and legal compliance laws in Namibia and South Africa, largely in the Mining and Oil & Gas sectors.

Prior to joining Langer Heinrich, Johan was a partner of a legal firm in Namibia.

BBusAdm, AGIA ACG

Paula Raffo joined Paladin in August 2023.

Paula has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the investor relations and corporate governance fields after having worked in these areas for 20 years in Australia and Brazil.

Paula started her IR career in Brazil where she worked for two large listed companies, Gerdau and SulAmerica. Following her relocation to Australia in 2012, she joined former gold mining company, Beadell Resources, as IR and Corporate Governance Executive. Most recently, she worked at Tivan where she held senior roles in investor relations and corporate governance.