Hawsons Iron Ltd (ASX:HIO) has enhanced its board skillset with the appointment of resources industry veteran David Woodall as non-executive chairman to lead the company through the development of its high-grade Hawsons Iron Project near Broken Hill, NSW.
Woodall brings to the board around 50 years of experience in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors in diverse roles as a senior executive, director and chairman.
The appointment is effective immediately, enabling the current executive chairman, Bryan Granzien, to pivot into the performance-management role of managing director and focus on the delivery of the Hawsons Iron Project’s bankable feasibility study (BFS).
“Strong position”
Commenting on the appointment, Hawsons new managing director Bryan Granzien said: “Dave has been involved with Hawsons for almost 18 months now, most recently as a member of our advisory committee appointed earlier this year to provide the board with strategic advice on the progress and quality of our BFS.
“This expansion of the board was always part of our plan once we got the company into the strong position it is today, so the time is right, and we are very lucky to have someone with such a depth of boardroom, management and capital markets experience as Dave join the company as non-executive chair.
“I look forward to working closely with Dave to realise the exciting opportunity for our company and Hawsons Iron Project to be a leading supplier of high-quality magnetite, vital to lowering emissions in ‘green steel’ making.”
Vast experience
Woodall sat on the boards of Ergon Energy, Energex, Tarong Energy Corporation, Terra Gas Traders, Starfish Windfarm, TN Power and Tarong Renewable Energy.
He spent many years at MIM Holdings Limited, culminating in the role of executive general manager in Marketing and Commercial.
In addition, he also served as the managing director at Grainco Australia Limited, a major bulk agri-commodity marketer and handler.
Furthermore, Woodall has a high level of Chinese exposure, having served several terms as chairman of the Queensland-China Council as well as sitting as a member of the Australia-China Council.
Thanking the board, Woodall said: “The Hawsons Iron Project has been rated by Wood Mackenzie as one of the world's best high-grade iron ore development projects and I’m looking forward to working with the board in the interests of shareholders and all stakeholders to bring this world class asset into production.”
New managing director
Since he was appointed executive chairman early last year, Bryan Granzien has guided the company to remove legacy impediments that had held it back for over a decade.
The stabilisation of the board, recruitment of key personnel and consultants, a capital raise, securing 100 per cent ownership and control of the Hawsons Iron Project and ongoing negotiations with off-takers have successfully reshaped the company and accelerated the project’s development to a critical stage.
Granzien said that Woodall had the experience and skill set required to take Hawsons through its next stage of evolution, involving the completion of the BFS and negotiations to secure the debt and equity capital funding package required to finance the development of the project.
He added: “Dave has an MBA as well as engineering qualifications, so he has a unique blend of both technical and commercial nous, as well as extensive capital markets experience gained while serving on a variety of boards in the resources and energy sectors.”