Gérard de la Vallée Poussin – Chairman
Gérard has over 50 years of experience in African mineral and petroleum resources. Initially employed by De Beers and Anglo American (Tenke Fungurume in DRC) in West and central Africa, he joined Philipp Brothers (Phibro-Salomon) in 1976 where he was responsible for developing African markets for crude oil and refined oil products before moving to London in 1979 as crude oil trader, where he subsequently became director of Phibro Energy (UK). He was co-founder of Kaines UK in 1984, a commodity trading company (energy, minerals and sugar/cocoa), and was appointed its CEO in 1987. He was until recently CEO of Bugeco SA – a Belgian geological consulting company, and Executive Chairman of Swala Resources Plc – a minerals exploration company with an African focus. He negotiated its sale to Concordia Resource Corp in 2011, remaining a director of that company until its sale to HPX in December 2014 and changing its name to Kaizen Discovery Inc (KZD- TSXV).
Gérard has over 50 years of experience in African mineral and petroleum resources. Initially employed by De Beers and Anglo American (Tenke Fungurume in DRC) in West and central Africa, he joined Philipp Brothers (Phibro-Salomon) in 1976 where he was responsible for developing African markets for crude oil and refined oil products before moving to London in 1979 as crude oil trader, where he subsequently became director of Phibro Energy (UK). He was co-founder of Kaines UK in 1984, a commodity trading company (energy, minerals and sugar/cocoa), and was appointed its CEO in 1987. He was until recently CEO of Bugeco SA – a Belgian geological consulting company, and Executive Chairman of Swala Resources Plc – a minerals exploration company with an African focus. He negotiated its sale to Concordia Resource Corp in 2011, remaining a director of that company until its sale to HPX in December 2014 and changing its name to Kaizen Discovery Inc (KZD- TSXV).
Barry Bayly – Chief Executive Officer
Barry has over 35 years’ experience in diamond exploration, mineral resource evaluation and management, project development and mine management. He was employed by De Beers where he held the senior positions of General Manager for De Beers Marine and General Manager Exploration for southern Africa, India and Australasia. Since 2007, Barry has been involved in the development and management of numerous multi-commodity junior exploration companies, including Zambezi Gold, Swala Resources Plc, Concordia Resource Corp., Marine Minerals Group, and Diamond Exploration Strategies Limited. Barry has a BSc (Hons.) from the University of Cape Town and is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist (SA).
Barry has over 35 years’ experience in diamond exploration, mineral resource evaluation and management, project development and mine management. He was employed by De Beers where he held the senior positions of General Manager for De Beers Marine and General Manager Exploration for southern Africa, India and Australasia. Since 2007, Barry has been involved in the development and management of numerous multi-commodity junior exploration companies, including Zambezi Gold, Swala Resources Plc, Concordia Resource Corp., Marine Minerals Group, and Diamond Exploration Strategies Limited. Barry has a BSc (Hons.) from the University of Cape Town and is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist (SA).
Mike Shaw – Executive Director
Mike has 23 years’ experience in the minerals industry as a mine geologist, exploration geologist and manager and geological consulting in diamonds, gold and coal. Mike obtained an BSc (Hons) and Masters (awarded cum laude) from the University of Natal and is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist (SA). He worked for most of his career with De Beers Marine, De Beers Marine Namibia, De Beers Prospecting Botswana, and De Beers Group Exploration where he was employed as a Geologist, Marine Geophysicist, Exploration Manager and Technical Review Manager.
Mike has 23 years’ experience in the minerals industry as a mine geologist, exploration geologist and manager and geological consulting in diamonds, gold and coal. Mike obtained an BSc (Hons) and Masters (awarded cum laude) from the University of Natal and is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist (SA). He worked for most of his career with De Beers Marine, De Beers Marine Namibia, De Beers Prospecting Botswana, and De Beers Group Exploration where he was employed as a Geologist, Marine Geophysicist, Exploration Manager and Technical Review Manager.
Rory Paton-Ash – Executive Director
Rory received a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town and is a registered Chartered Accountant in South Africa. He is currently retired after selling his interests in Strata Products Worldwide, a leading global provider of safety related products and services to the mining industry. Rory co-founded Strata in 1992. He served as Chief Executive Officer and during his tenure, transformed Strata from a timber roof supports manufacturer to a global leader in mine safety technology and services, and was active in the design, development and commercialization of several innovative products. Prior to joining Strata, Rory held senior management positions in mining and commercial services companies, including the Central Guaranty Trust Company in Canada and HLH Mining Timber in South Africa. He resides in the Bahamas and remains active investor in real estate and business asset financing.
Rory received a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town and is a registered Chartered Accountant in South Africa. He is currently retired after selling his interests in Strata Products Worldwide, a leading global provider of safety related products and services to the mining industry. Rory co-founded Strata in 1992. He served as Chief Executive Officer and during his tenure, transformed Strata from a timber roof supports manufacturer to a global leader in mine safety technology and services, and was active in the design, development and commercialization of several innovative products. Prior to joining Strata, Rory held senior management positions in mining and commercial services companies, including the Central Guaranty Trust Company in Canada and HLH Mining Timber in South Africa. He resides in the Bahamas and remains active investor in real estate and business asset financing.