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AIM HZM 8.40 GBX
TSX HZM 0.15 CAD
Developing the next major nickel project in Brazil

Board of Directors

Our directors have extensive experience in the exploration and mining sector, demonstrating strength and diversity.

Vincent Benoit
Interim Non-Executive ChairmanMSc.
Mr Benoit has over 30 years of corporate finance, business development and M&A experience in the mining, telecom, and energy sectors. Mr Benoit identified the opportunity to buy La Mancha and joined the company as Head of Strategy & Business Development in 2012, before leading La Mancha’s portfolio restructuring and contributing to the enhancement of its mines performance in Australia and Africa then identifying and executing the combinations with Evolution and Endeavour, which positioned La Mancha as a leading private investor in the gold mining sector. From 2016 to 2019, Vincent was CFO and EVP Corporate Development at Endeavour where he reshaped the strategy, improved the mine portfolio quality, and enhanced the balance sheet to fund the organic growth. Endeavour’s market capitalization was quadrupled by the time he left at the end of 2019. In early 2020, he re-joined La Mancha to oversee investments and fund raising. Previously, Mr Benoit was at Orange (2006-2012) where he served as EVP M&A. He led the development of the group’s footprint in Africa and Europe and formed strategic partnerships with key European telecoms players. Prior to this, Mr Benoit held various finance positions including with Orano (ex-Areva), Bull Information Systems and PwC. Vincent holds a MSc from Kedge Business School and is a Chartered Accountant.

Gillian Davidson
Non-Executive Director MA, PhD.
Dr Davidson, an industry leader in sustainability, has over 25 years of experience in the extractives and natural resources sectors. She is an independent sustainability advisor and currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of AIM quoted Central Asia Metals plc and TSX listed Lundin Gold and New Gold Inc. Dr Davidson is a founding member and Chair of the Global Battery Alliance, an initiative created to drive a sustainable battery value chain. Gillian Davidson is also Chair of International Women in Mining. Dr Davidson was, until 2017, Head of Mining & Metals at the World Economic Forum, leading global and regional initiatives for responsible and sustainable development. Prior to this, she was Director of Social Responsibility at Teck Resources Limited. She holds a MA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Glasgow, a PhD in Development Economics and Economic Geography from the University of Liverpool and is an alumnus of the Governor General of Canada's Leadership Conference.

John MacKenzie
Non-Executive DirectorMSc.
Mr MacKenzie is a senior mining executive with more than 30 years of operational and investment experience in the metals and mining sector, currently Chief Executive Officer and Director of TSX-listed Capstone Copper Corp. Previously, John was Executive Chair and Founder of Mantos Copper before its merger with Capstone Mining in 2022. He brings extensive international operating experience to the Board, in particular in South American through his time as part of the Anglo American group where he was a member of the Executive Committee and CEO of Copper at Anglo American plc, CEO Zinc at Anglo Base Metals and General Manager at their Minera Loma de Niquel mine and smelter in Venezuela, a ferronickel operation. He was also previously a Non-Executive Director of KAZ Minerals plc. He has a Master of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Master of Business Leadership from the University of South Africa and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.