Our Leadership
Directors
John Richards
Qualifications
B.Econ (Hons)
Experience
John Richards is an economist with more than 35 years’ experience in the resources industry. He has held strategy and business development positions across several mining companies and has worked extensively in the investment banking and private equity industries. He has been involved in a wide range of significant mining M&A transactions on a global scale.
Mr Richards is also a Non-Executive Director of leading gold producer Northern Star Resources Ltd and Lead Independent Director of mineral sands company Sheffield Resources Ltd. His previous positions include Group Executive – Strategy & Business Development at Normandy Mining Ltd; Head of Mining & Metals Advisory (Australia) at Standard Bank; Managing Director at Buka Minerals Ltd and Operating Partner at Global Natural Resources Investments (GNRI).
He holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Queensland.
Special responsibilities
- Chair of the Risk Committee
- Member of the Audit Committee
Karl M Simich
Qualifications
B.Com, FCA, F.Fin
Experience
Mr Simich is an experienced international mining executive who has been involved in the financing, construction, development and operation of various mining projects in New Zealand, Australia and Africa.
Specialising in resource finance and corporate management, Mr Simich has been a director of and held senior positions with a number of ASX-listed mining companies.
Mr Simich is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and has completed post-graduate studies in business and finance.
Sally Langer
Qualifications
B.Com, CA, AICD
Experience
Ms Langer has 25 years’ experience in Professional Services including as founder and Managing Partner of the management consulting and executive recruitment firm Derwent Executive, where she set up and led the growth of the Perth office servicing a wide range of clients both local and national and led the Mining and Industrial Practice. Prior to that, she was a Director at international recruitment firm Michael Page and a Chartered Accountant at accounting and consulting firm Arthur Andersen.
During her career, Ms Langer has been responsible for strategy development and execution with a strong focus on profitable business growth, supervising and coordinating large teams and other management functions including strategy, business development, budgeting and human resources. She has been a trusted advisor to numerous Boards on recruitment, talent management, culture and organisational structure.
Ms Langer is also Non-Executive Director of Northern Star Resources Ltd. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UWA.
Special responsibilities
- Chair of the Audit Committee
- Member of the People and Performance Committee
Dr Roric Smith
Qualifications
B.Sc (Hons) Geology, Ph.D Geology
Experience
Dr Smith is a highly experienced geologist with extensive Australian and international experience. Dr Smith was previously Vice President, Discovery and Chief Geologist for Evolution, where he played a key role in leading that company’s exploration efforts. Prior to joining Evolution, Dr Smith held senior executive positions with the gold producer AngloGold Ashanti, including as Senior Vice President, Global Greenfield Exploration; Country Manager and Chief Representative China; Exploration Manager – North Asia Region; and Chief Geologist Australia.
Dr Smith holds a B.Sc, B.Sc (Hons) Geology and Ph.D from the University of Natal in South Africa.
Special responsibilities
- Member of the Risk Committee
- Member of the Audit Committee
Jenn Morris
Qualifications
B.Arts, AICD, INSEAD
Experience
Ms Morris is a former partner of global professional services firm Deloitte where her career spanned more than 10 years working across the mining, government and transport sectors. She was also previously a Senior Marketing Analyst for Rio Tinto Iron Ore and the CEO of Walk Free, the Minderoo Foundation’s global initiative against slavery. She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd and a Commissioner on the Board of the Australian Sports Commission.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Journalism) from Curtin University, received with Distinction and has completed Finance for Executives at INSEAD. Her experience includes advising government entities and corporations on strategy development, governance controls, business transformation, the embedding of environment, social and governance related policies, the development of leadership and understanding of high-performance environments.
Ms Morris is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of Leadership WA and a member of the Vice Chancellor’s List, Curtin University. Prior to her business career, she was a member of the highly successful Australian Women’s Hockey Team which won Olympic gold medals at both Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. In 1997, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Special responsibilities
- Chair of the People and Performance Committee
- Member of the Risk Committee
Derek La Ferla
Qualifications
B.Arts, B. Juris, B.Law, Fellow of AICD
Experience
Mr La Ferla is a corporate lawyer and company director with more than 30 years’ experience. He has held senior leadership positions with some of Australia’s leading law firms and a variety of board positions with listed public companies and not for profit organisations. Mr La Ferla is currently a Partner in the Corporate Advisory Group (on a part time basis) with Western Australian firm, Lavan and was formerly the national leader of the corporate advisory and infrastructure, mining and commodities industry group at Norton Rose Fulbright. Derek has worked on some of the WA’s more notable capital market and private equity transactions including the Initial Public Offering (IPO) and ASX listing of Automotive Holdings Group, Navitas Ltd and Southern Cross Electrical Ltd among others. He brings a strong corporate governance perspective, balancing commercial and legal risk management needs.
Mr La Ferla is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the AICD National Board and the WA Council Division.
Special responsibilities
- Member of the People and Performance Committee
Senior Management Team
Jason Grace
Qualifications
B.AppSc (Geo), B.Sc (Hons), MMinEng, MEnt (Exec)
Experience
Mr Grace is an experienced mining professional with industry experience spanning Australia and the AsiaPacific region and ranging across multiple disciplines including general and operational management, technical leadership, business improvement, mineral resource evaluation, mine planning and mine geology.
He was most recently Executive General Manager – Iron Ore for diversified mining services group Mineral Resources Ltd, where he managed the group’s Australian iron ore business. Prior to that, he was Senior Director, Asia Pacific Iron Ore and Senior Director, Technical Services for Cliffs Asia Pacific Iron Ore, where he led and managed all elements of the Asia Pacific Iron ore business segment for USA-based Cleveland Cliffs Inc. Before joining Cleveland Cliffs, Mr Grace enjoyed a 13-year career with Newcrest Mining Ltd holding a range of senior managerial and operational positions.
Mr Grace’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology) from Queensland University of Technology, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from James Cook University and a Master of Mining Engineering from the University of New South Wales.
Matthew Fitzgerald
Qualifications
B.Com, CA
Experience
Mr Fitzgerald is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in the resources industry. He began his career in the Assurance & Advisory division of KPMG, before joining ASX listed Kimberley Diamond Company NL in 2003, where he held the position of Chief Financial Officer and Director until July 2008.
Mr Fitzgerald is also the Chairman of the Company’s 85% owned TSX Venture Exchange listed subsidiary, Sandfire Resources America Inc. (TSX-V: SFR). Sandfire Resources America Inc. is permitting the 100% owned and leased Black Butte Copper Project in Montana, USA.
Victoria Twiss
Qualifications
LLB/B.Com, MBA, Grad Dip (Corporate Resources and Administration)
Experience
Ms Twiss is a practising lawyer with over 16 years’ experience in the resource sector with a focus on the development and operation of mining and infrastructure projects. Ms Twiss joined Sandfire in 2011 during the construction of the DeGrussa Copper Gold Mine and was recently promoted to Head of Legal and Procurement and General Counsel. Prior to joining Sandfire, Ms Twiss worked in corporate services and commercial roles for other resource companies, as we all as spending a number of years working in the UK.
Samantha Masters
Qualifications
Post Graduate OHS
Experience
Ms Masters has over 18 years’ experience in the mining industry, commencing her career as an underground operator and then completing tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety. Ms Masters has developed and been recognised for her ability to navigate unknown business environments and ensure adherence to health and safety requirements. She has held several senior management roles in mining companies in a health and safety capacity. She first joined Sandfire in 2014, and after a brief period working elsewhere, re-joined Sandfire in 2017.
Richard Holmes
Qualifications
BSc Hons (Geology/Geography), MSc & DIC (Applied Structural Geology and Engineering Rock Mechanics)
Experience
Mr Homes has a mining industry career spanning 25 years across the globe with practical experience in over 35 countries. He brings a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic thinking, exploration management, business development, innovation and strong technical evaluation skills that are reinforced by extensive experience reviewing the technical/financial/commercial aspects of many projects throughout the world.
Richard joined Sandfire following his role at OZ Minerals, as the Head of Exploration and Growth, where he successfully built a global pipeline of opportunities. Prior that role, Richard held senior management and consulting roles with Evolution Mining Ltd, AusAmercian Mining Corporation Ltd, AngloGold Ashanti, Aditya Birla Minerals Ltd and CSA Global.
Dale Burgess
Qualifications
Bachelor in Mine Engineering – Ballarat University
Experience
Mr Burgess is a mining engineer with over 30 years of global industry experience and brings extensive operational, technical, leadership and management experience and a proven track record in optimising and expanding on operations across jurisdictions. He joined Sandfire in July 2021. During his career, he has held several senior management level positions where he has successfully led multi-disciplinary teams in open pit and underground operations for companies such as Barrick Gold – Pueblo Viejo Operation in Dominican Republic, Barrick Niugini Porgera Operation in PNG, Bersa Gold in Vietnam, and the Great Australian Copper Mine for CopperChem Limited.