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).

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.

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).

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 New Zealand Aluminium Smelter 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.

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. He has significant international experience with public, private and State-owned enterprises. Alex has held a range of roles in corporates, investment banking and actuarial consulting.

Alex’s 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.