Our Leadership

The Chaarat Board provides leadership to the Group and is responsible for its long term success.

Director

Martin Andersson - Executive Chairman

Appointed: October 2016

Skills, experience, and contribution

A graduate of the Stockholm School of Economics and HEC Paris, Martin worked in mergers and acquisitions at Booz Allen Hamilton, and advised the Russian Government on its privatization programme. In 1993 he co-founded Brunswick Brokerage – a Moscow based investment bank that was later sold to UBS – initially holding the position of CEO and from 1999 as Chairman of the joint venture, Brunswick UBS Warburg. Between 2006 and 2013 he was a shareholder serving on the board of Siberian Coal Energy Company (SUEK), one of the largest thermal coal producers in Russia.

Martin first invested in Chaarat in 2011 and he intends (via Labro) to be a long term and supportive shareholder.

Board committees

Mr Andersson chairs Chaarat’s Nominations Committee.

External commitments

Mr Andersson manages an active portfolio with an interest in real estate, financial services and information technology.

Gordon Wylie - Senior Independent Director

Appointed: November 2017

Skills, experience, and contribution

A geologist by training, Gordon has more than 46 years’ experience in the mining industry and directly relevant experience of growing companies from exploration to production.  During his eight years as a member of AngloGold Ashanti’s senior management team, Gordon was responsible for their global exploration programme, part of which included moving into new prospective, higher risk, geographical regions.  Gordon has been a non-executive director of numerous junior exploration companies operating globally since leaving AngloGold Ashanti.  He was previously the chairman of Lydian International which was constructing a mine at the Amulsar open pit, heap leach, gold project in Armenia.

Board committees

Gordon is a member of ESG, Technical, Audit and Nominations Committees.

External commitments

Gordon is a non-executive director of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc, the AIM-quoted gold mining company focused on Zimbabwe.

Robert Edwards - Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed: September 2018

Skills, experience, and contribution

A mining engineer with a degree from the Camborne School of Mines, Robert is the former chairman of Global Mining at Renaissance Capital and has also worked for HSBC and the Royal Bank of Canada.  He has worked in the natural resources industry for 28 years primarily in frontier and emerging markets, advising the managements of numerous companies on a range of industrial issues.  Robert brings to Chaarat his deep sector knowledge of the FSU mining sector.  Robert has played a central role in multiple IPOs, capital raisings and M&A transactions and is a well-known figure across the global mining investor base.

Board committees

Robert chairs the Board’s Remuneration Committee and is a member of its ESG, Technical, and Nominations Committees.

External commitments

Robert is currently executive chair of AIM- and FWB-listed Bluejay Mining plc and a non-executive director of ASX-listed Sandfire Resources Limited.  He is also an adviser to several private natural resource companies.

Robert Benbow - Non-Executive Director

Appointed: July 2018

Skills, experience, and contribution

A civil engineer with over 49 years’ experience in mining and 39 years in gold mining, Bob brings invaluable technical knowledge to Chaarat.  During his 49-year career, Bob has taken three greenfield gold developments into production, including Alacer Gold Corp.’s Çöpler Gold Mine in Turkey, which has produced over 2 million ounces as one of the lowest cost producers in the world. 

Board committees

Bob chairs the Board’s Technical Committee and is a member of its ESG and Nominations Committees.

External commitments

Bob is a Director/Owner of Powderhouse Gulch LLC (Colorado).

Hussein Barma - Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed: December 2018

Skills, experience, and contribution

A qualified lawyer and chartered accountant by background with over 20 years’ experience in senior positions in the mining sector, Hussein brings to Chaarat a wealth of experience in accounting, internal control, governance, risk management, and compliance.  Hussein has significant FTSE-50 senior executive experience, gained over 15 years as UK-based CFO at Antofagasta plc, where he led its UK presence through a period of change and growth as the UK-based chief financial officer.  He has also had earlier careers in professional services and academia.

Board committees

Hussein chairs the Board’s Audit Committee and is a member of its Remuneration and Nominations Committees.

External commitments

Hussein is an independent non-executive director and the audit chair of both Atalaya Mining plc and Fidelity Asian Values plc.  He is also a principal at Barma Advisory where he has worked on various assignments within the natural resources and other sectors.  He is an independent governor of the University of the Arts London.

Sandy Stash - Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed: May 2021

Skills, experience, and contribution

Sandy has over 35 years of international executive and non-executive board experience. Her professional career spans top leadership positions in general management, ESG, major projects, commercial negotiations, engineering and operations, supply chain management, HSE, and external affairs in both the energy and hard rock mining industries.  A petroleum engineer by training, Sandy was one of the first women to work as a drilling engineer at locations across North America.

Board committees

Sandy chairs the Board’s ESG Committee and is a member of the Board’s Technical and Nominations Committees.

External commitments

Sandy is a non-executive director of Diversified Energy Company plc, Trans Mountain Company, and Medallion Midstream, LLC.  Sandy is also a member of the board of governors of the Colorado School of Mines Foundation and serves in an advisory capacity and as a director for several not-for profits and privately-held, community firms.

Management

Martin Andersson - Executive Chairman

Appointed: October 2016

Skills, experience, and contribution

A graduate of the Stockholm School of Economics and HEC Paris, Martin worked in mergers and acquisitions at Booz Allen Hamilton, and advised the Russian Government on its privatization programme. In 1993 he co-founded Brunswick Brokerage – a Moscow based investment bank that was later sold to UBS – initially holding the position of CEO and from 1999 as Chairman of the joint venture, Brunswick UBS Warburg. Between 2006 and 2013 he was a shareholder serving on the board of Siberian Coal Energy Company (SUEK), one of the largest thermal coal producers in Russia.

Martin first invested in Chaarat in 2011 and he intends (via Labro) to be a long term and supportive shareholder.

Board committees

Mr Andersson chairs Chaarat’s Nominations Committee.

External commitments

Mr Andersson manages an active portfolio with an interest in real estate, financial services and information technology.

David Mackenzie - Chief Financial Officer

Appointed: June 2023

Skills, experience, and contribution
  • Extensive knowledge and experience of the natural resources sector, project management, strategy, finance, audit, accounting and IR
  • Interim CFO of Chaarat since November 2021 and was previously General Manager Finance at Alufer Mining Ltd
  • Holds a Post Graduate Diploma of Commerce from the University of Otago and is a qualified member of CPA Australia

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