Our Leadership
Board of Directors
Non-Executive Chairman Cliff Lawrenson
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).
Non-Executive Director Lesley Adams
GAICD, CIPD
Lesley Adams was appointed Non-Executive Director in May 2023.
Lesley has more than thirty years of experience within the global resources industry across multiple roles including Human Resources, Health & Safety, Joint Venture Management and Indigenous and Corporate Affairs. Lesley’s experience includes leadership roles in global technology, engineering services and major resource companies.
Previously, Lesley was Executive General Manager of Roy Hill where she was responsible for implementing and supporting structural change as the organisation transitioned to a sustainable operating environment. Her other senior roles include Group Executive HR/Continuous Improvement at Beach Energy, Group Executive Corporate Services at Quadrant Energy and General Manager of Human Resources for Santos Limited.
Lesley is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Non-Executive Director Jon Hronsky OAM
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.
Non-Executive Director Peter Main
BBus
Peter Main was appointed Non-Executive Director in December 2019.
Peter is a mining and finance professional with extensive experience spanning more than 35 years. During that time, he has developed an extensive working knowledge in financial markets centred around the mining sector, developing a wealth of industry experience.
During his career, Peter spent 13 years in a variety of roles in the mining industry through to CEO in the later years of a TSX-V listed mining company. He spent more than 20 years in mining finance, more recently advising and managing the development of gold enterprises in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Peter primarily worked for investment banks, including 11 years managing the Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) Australian equity sales and trading business and co-managing RBC’s regional business, and six years at Hartley Poynton as a mining analyst. Before that, he spent nine years in full time service in the Australian Army.
Non-Executive Director Peter Watson
BEng (Hons), FIEAust, GAICD, RPEQ
Peter Watson was appointed Non-Executive Director in December 2019.
Peter is a chemical engineer with more than 35 years’ experience in the global resources sector across senior technical, project, and management roles as well as corporate experience in running ASX listed companies. His experience includes project development, project delivery, asset optimisation and mining facilities operations across multiple commodities and global jurisdictions, including Africa.
Peter has held technical and senior executive roles with a number of companies, culminating in his appointment as the MD & CEO of Sedgman Limited. He has also held a number of senior and directorship roles at Strandline Resources Ltd, Sedgman Limited, New Century Resources, Resource Generation and EvacGroup, bringing significant board level experience at both the public and wholly owned company level, particularity on matters covering safety, governance, financial reporting, risk management, strategy and leadership.
Peter is currently a Non-Executive Director at Australian Vanadium Limited (ASX:AVL).
Senior Management
Chief Executive Officer Ian Purdy
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.
Chief Financial Officer Anna Sudlow
BCom, CPA, MBA, AICD
Anna Sudlow joined Paladin in July 2019.
Anna is a highly qualified CFO with more than 20 years of experience in commercial and corporate roles across the energy and resources sectors with particular experience in capital markets, corporate transactions and business transformation.
Anna started her career at Woodside Energy, progressing into senior functional roles across treasury and corporate strategy. Thereafter, she was the Commercial & IR Manager of Tap Oil and, prior to joining Paladin, Anna was the CFO at Transborders Energy. Anna is a Non-Executive Director of Australian Vanadium Limited (ASX:AVL).
Chief Operating Officer Paul Hemburrow
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.
Chief Commercial Officer Alex Rybak
BEc, FIAA, ASIA
Alex Rybak joined Paladin in July 2021.
Alex has over 20 years of experience across a range of sectors including metals & mining, oil & gas, healthcare and financial services. Significant international experience with public, private and State-owned enterprises. Held a range of roles in corporates, investment banking and actuarial consulting.
Previous roles include General Manager, M&A at Quadrant Energy (acquired by Santos Limited), General Manager, M&A at St John of God Healthcare, Deputy Director of Business Development at Rosneft, Project Director, M&A at TNK-BP, amongst others.
General Manager – Exploration Jess Oram
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).
General Counsel & Company Secretary Jeremy Ryan
DipLaw (NSW), GDLP (NSW)
Jeremy Ryan was appointed Company Secretary of Paladin in August 2021.
Jeremy has extensive experience in corporate governance and was previously Company Secretary / Manager Legal for ASX listed gold miner Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited. He has a proven track record of providing legal advice and assistance in the resources sector including in relation to corporate governance, M&A, capital raisings, debt facilities, contracts and dispute resolution.
Jeremy was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1999 and to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2001. Prior to his in-house role with Saracen, he advised government departments and worked in the finance and projects team of a large international law firm. During his time in private practice, Jeremy provided advice to companies in the energy and resources sectors across a broad range of matters.
Managing Director –
Langer Heinrich Johan Roux
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.
General Manager Operations –
Langer Heinrich Andrew Poletto
BEng(Civil)
Andrew Poletto joined Langer Heinrich in May 2023.
Andrew is an engineer with 20 years of experience, having worked on multiple large open cut operations with significant mining fleet and varying applications. He has developed deep knowledge in mine planning, operational and contractor management, and business improvement.
Andrew worked at the BHP Blackwater Mine from 2010 to 2018 from Senior Engineer to Manager Production Overburden. Prior to joining Langer Heinrich, he was the Operations Manager – Mining at South 32 GEMCO.
Investor Relations Manager Paula Raffo
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.
Manager Sustainability Adrian Safciuc
BEng, MSc, MBA
Adrian joined Paladin in November 2023.
Adrian is a strategy and operations executive with 13 years of experience at global companies, across different engineering sectors.
Prior to joining Paladin, Adrian was the Head of Strategy & Chief of Staff at Enlighted (a SIEMENS company in the USA) and Strategy Manager of SIEMENS. He started his career at DNVGL, in the role of Senior Project Manager and Senior Engineer for projects located in Europe, Asia and Australia.