Two new directors????
8 MAY 2020
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
Aura Energy Limited (AEE; ASX, AURA; AIM) is pleased to advise that it has appointed UKbased Mr Paul Heber and Melbourne-based Mr Robert Craigie to the Aura Energy Board as
non-executive directors with immediate effect.
The appointments are an important step to ensure Aura Energy maintains the the correct mix
of skills and experience on the Board during these testing times for the mining sector both
economically and operationally.
The appointment of a UK-based Director has long been an ambition of Aura’s given the
London Stock Exchange (LSE) AIM listing, a number of significant shareholders located in the
UK and the fact that approximately 60% of Aura’s recent capital raisings have been performed
in the UK.
The LSE AIM is also the most proximal market to Aura’s key development projects and the
Company expects it will grow in importance in the coming years. With Aura continuing to
press for separate listings for both its gold assets and the Häggån Vanadium Project, the LSE
AIM is a likely location for those listings. The current international travel ban also imposes
restrictions on Aura’s ability to service the UK market and this UK appointment will alleviate
that issue.
Mr Paul Heber, the UK Director appointed to fill this role, has been a Director on a number of
listed companies with a number of these African focused. Paul has 30 years of experience as
an investment manager and stockbroker in global stock markets, following three years in the
oil industry. He operated client funds at SG Hambro, National Westminster Bank, W.I. Carr
and bespoke boutique, Savoy Investments with in excess of £170m of private and institutional
funds under his direct management. He is currently working with Valere Consulting SA, in
Zurich and VC Partners in Lichtenstein, with a broad pan-African and UK focus..
Paul has had a long term association with Africa and is also French speaking. Aside from his
director’s duties, given his extensive Fund Management & Southern African Business
Network, Paul has led and assisted fund raisings for quoted and private companies in the
agricultural, logistical and resources sectors as well as consulting on various African matters
from current affairs to commercial introductions.
On the finance side, Aura has been without an experienced Audit and Risk Committee
Chairman since the unfortunate loss of Mr Brett Fraser who was an experienced and valued
member of the Aura Board. The appointment of Mr Rob Craigie corrects this deficiency at a
time when both the ASX and ASIC are increasing scrutiny and regulation of the viability of
ASX-listed companies.
Mr Rob Craigie has been appointed to strengthen this area and is currently CFO and
Company Secretary for Circa Group Ltd in Melbourne, where he serves on the Audit & Risk
Committee. He has operated in the Financial Services industry for over 20 years as a senior
equities analyst with Baillieu Holst, F W Holst & Co, ANZ Securities and ANZ McCaughan
providing analysis and research across resources and mining.
These roles included a range of corporate work (eg. pre-IPO marketing, equity raisings,
corporate advice and analysis of funding options). Prior to this Rob had a 16 year industry
career with the Shell Group and its metals business, Billiton, spanning senior technical,
planning, finance and strategy roles, mostly in mining (base metals, gold and bulks), but
also in oil and gas. He has been a part-time lecturer with the Securities Institute of Australia
(“SIA”
(now part of FINSIA) in Mining Investment Analysis, plus a SIA task force member
developing the Advanced Mining Investment Analysis course. Importantly, Rob is also a
graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Commenting on the appointments Mr Peter Reeve, Aura Energy’s Executive Chairman said;
“Aura is delighted to welcome Paul and Rob to the Board of Directors of Aura Energy.
Collectively they fill important skills that the Company requires as it evolves to its next stage
and also for operating in the existing changed business environment. As Aura progresses its
Tiris and Häggån developments, financings and its potential IPO’s, the importance of a
strong London presence and a strong financial overview is imperative. Both Paul and Rob
are seasoned professionals operating on a number of facets of the mining, resources,
finance and wealth management sectors and their involvement in Aura will provide great
benefits”.
Paul Heber Previous Directorships
January 2008 – January 2013: Non-Executive Director of Cambria Africa PLC
October 2010 – June 2014: Non-Executive Director of Shanta Gold PLC
May 2012 - September 2017 Non Executive Director of Ortac Resources PLC
November 2012-October 2016: Executive Director of Port Evolution and Development
(Africa) Ltd. (Private)
January 2015-January 2016: Non Executive Chairman of Camanor Ltd. (Sierra Leone)
Mr Rob Craigie Current Company Positions
June 2018 – present: CFO & Company Secretary for Circa Group Ltd
Previously served as Chairman of the Board’s Audit &
Risk Committee
(20min delay)