UK Representatives, Exploration, Mining and Corporate Experience
Nicholas von Schirnding
Non-Executive Chairman
Nick has over 25 years' experience in mining and natural resources, including strategic development, M&A, restructuring, driving operational change and the UK regulatory framework. Nick is Executive Chairman of Arc Minerals plc, a London listed mining group with interests in Africa. Nick is also Chairman of Fodere Group, a private company that has developed environmentally sustainable technology to extract high value minerals from ore. In addition, Nick is a Non-Executive Director of Jangada Mines plc, which is also listed in London.
Previously Nick was CEO of Asia Resource Minerals plc (formerly Bumi plc), a FTSE listed mining company and was instrumental in successfully restructuring their 25mtpa open pit coal mining operations. Nick was also deputy chairman of Berau Coal, Indonesia's fourth largest listed coal company. Prior to this Nick held senior roles at both Anglo American plc and De Beers.
As a Chairman Nick is responsible to lead the Board and determine the strategic direction of the Company, review performance of the management and ensure that the Company complies with the relevant rules and regulations. In addition he is responsible to ensure that the Company complies with the QCA Code for Corporate Governance.
Noel Lyons
CEO
Mr Lyons is an operational executive with over 30 years direct experience in the oil, gas and mining sector mainly in Africa and the Middle East. His experience is primarily on the operational side including strategic management, operations, project management, funding and value creation generally with listed companies. He is the founder of Clean Invest Africa plc, a company focused on delivering an attractive return through acquiring stakes in clean energy companies, remediation technologies, waste-to-energy technologies and other clean energy related projects.
Noel is responsible for the daily operation and directing management of the Company.
Paul Ryan
Executive Director
Mr Ryan has over 20 years of commercial, regulatory and advisory experience. Mr Ryan has acted as a consultant, primarily on strategy and public policy, to a range of clients including FTSE100 and Fortune 500 companies largely in the ICT space. He held a variety of board positions with leading mobile operator Vodafone Group. Mr Ryan has many years of experience working in sub-Saharan Africa including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana where he lived for a number of years. Since 2018 Mr Ryan has been involved with a clean coal project through Clean Invest Africa plc whose subsidiary CoalTech has an operational coal facility in South Africa. Mr Ryan is a qualified solicitor in the UK and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Andre Hope
Non-Executive Director
Mr Hope has a wealth of experience as an adviser and consultant to governments and major corporates across Africa over the last 30 years. During this time, he has developed an extensive network of relationships throughout Africa. He holds a degree in Law from Brunel University and was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 1981. Mr Hope served as Non- Executive Chairman of Ecobank (SL) Ltd., an affiliate of Ecobank Transnational, one of the leading African banks with operations in 36 countries across the continent, and he currently serves as a NonExecutive director of Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Ltd., formerly Barclays Bank (SL) Ltd.
As a non-executive director Andre is responsible to give input the strategic direction of the Company, review performance of the management and ensure that the Company complies with the relevant rules and regulations. In addition he is responsible to ensure that the Company complies with the QCA Code for Corporate Governance.
Non Board
Rakesh Patel
Company Accountant (Non-Board)
Over 21 years as a Chartered certified accountant; extensive experience in corporate finance, mergers, divestments and acquisitions, private placing and stock market flotation. Acted in over 30 AIM admissions and transactions. Interim / part-time Director to private and public companies. Corporate finance partner at Adler Shine LLP, a London based firm of Chartered Accountants.
