Our directors have extensive experience in the exploration and mining sector, demonstrating strength and diversity.
William Fisher
Non-Executive Chairman — BSc (Hons), PGeo.
Mr Fisher graduated as a geologist in 1979 and has extensive industry experience which has included a number of residential posts in Africa, Australia, Europe and Canada in both exploration and mining positions. Under his leadership, Karmin Exploration discovered the Aripuanã base metal sulphide deposits in Brazil. From 1997 to 2001 Mr Fisher was Vice President, Exploration for Boliden AB, a major European mining and smelting company where he was responsible for thirty five projects in nine countries. From 2001 to 2008, Bill led GlobeStar Mining Corp. from an exploration company to an emerging base metal producer in the Dominican Republic which developed and operated the Cerro de Maimon mine until it was sold to Perilya for USD 186 million. Mr Fisher was also Chairman of Aurelian Resources which was acquired by Kinross in 2008 for USD 1.2 Billion after the discovery of the Fruta del Norte gold deposit in Ecuador. Mr Fisher currently serves as Executive Chairman of Goldquest Mining Corp. (TSX: GCQ), independent director of Treasury Metals Inc. (TSX: TML) and Chairman of Rame Energy (AIM: RAME).
Jeremy Martin
Director and Chief Executive Officer — MSc, ASCM.
Mr Martin holds a degree in Mining Geology from the Camborne School of Mines, and a Master’s Degree in mineral exploration from the University of Leicester. He has worked in South America, Central America and Europe, where he was responsible for grassroots regional metalliferous exploration programs through to resources definition and mine development. Mr Martin has established a number of JV partnerships with major mining companies and has been involved in the formation of four AIM and TSX traded companies. He has served on a number of public company boards and is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists and the Institute of Mining Analysts.
Owen Bavinton
Non-Executive Director — BSc (Hons), MSc, DIC, PhD.
Dr Bavinton graduated from the University of Queensland in Geology in 1969, holds a Master's Degree in Mineral Exploration from Imperial College, London and a PhD in Economic Geology from ANU, Canberra, Australia. He has over 40 years of varied international experience in the minerals exploration and mining sector in several commodities. From 1974 to 1985 he had several positions with Western Mining Corporation, finally as director of WMC’s activities in Brazil. From 1986 to 1992 he was Chief Executive Officer of Aredor Guinea SA. In 1992 he joined Anglo American where Dr Bavinton remained until his retirement in 2010. Dr Bavinton was responsible for Anglo American’s exploration and project evaluation activities in the FSU, Central Europe and the Middle East. He moved to London in 1998, initially as Head of Exploration for Minorco, and later Group Head of Exploration and Geology for Anglo American. In those roles, he was responsible for worldwide exploration and geosciences covering a range of exploration projects, through all stages of development, including advanced projects and feasibility studies. He is a fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists, the Association of Applied Geochemists and the Institute of Materials, Mining and Metallurgy.
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.
Vincent Benoit
Non-Executive Director — MSc.
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.