About Emerald
Board of Directors
Jay Hughes
Non-Executive Chairman
Mr Hughes started his career on the Perth Stock Exchange trading floor in 1986. In 2000 he was one of the founders of Euroz Limited and for 23 years until August 2023, was an Executive Director of Euroz Hartleys Group Limited (ASX:EZL). He is the Non-Executive Chairman of Westoz Funds Management Pty Ltd and Westoz Resources Fund Limited. He was the Non-Executive Chairman of Westoz Investment Company Limited and Ozgrowth Limited until the successful completion of their takeover schemes in April 2022. He was recognised as an Affiliate of the ASX in December 2000 and was admitted in May 2004 as a Master Practitioner Member (MSAFAA) of the SAFAA. Mr Hughes holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA).
Mr Hughes is considered to be an independent director and was appointed as Non-executive Director on 13 September 2022 and Non-executive Chairman on 8 August 2023. He is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and Remuneration & Nomination Committee.
Morgan Hart
Managing Director
Mr Hart is an experienced Geologist and Mining Executive. Previously holding the position of Executive Director COO of Regis Resources Ltd, he successfully led the development of three gold mines within a span of four years (Moolart Well, Garden Well and Rosemont). Prior to this, Mr Hart was Executive Director COO of Equigold NL, responsible for the development and construction of the Bonikro Gold Project in Ivory Coast, West Africa. Additionally, he skilfully managed the operations of the Mount Rawdon and Kirkalocka gold mines in Australia.
Mr Hart was appointed as Managing Director on 30 July 2014. He is not considered independent due to his executive role.
Mick Evans
Executive Director
Mr Evans joined the Company as Chief Operating Officer in May 2016. He has over 20 years’ experience in various mining and processing industries throughout Australia and Africa. He spent seven years with Regis Resources Ltd (ASX:RRL) firstly as Projects Manager and subsequently as Chief Development Officer where he was responsible for the construction of the processing plants at the Moolart Well, Garden Well and Rosemont gold mines. Prior to this, he spent ten years with Equigold NL where he was instrumental in the construction of the Bonikro processing plant in Cote D’Ivoire.
Mr Evans was appointed as Executive Director on 3 October 2018. He is not considered independent due to his executive role.
Ross Stanley
Non-Executive Director
Mr Stanley is a well-respected mining executive with extensive experience both in Australian and African mining enterprises. He was formerly the majority shareholder and Managing Director of ASX listed Stanley Mining Services prior to its merger with Layne Christensen in 1997. Stanley Mining was the dominant drill services provider in Ghana in the 1990’s. Mr Stanley also served as Non-executive Director of Equigold NL.
Mr Stanley was appointed as Non-executive Director on 20 August 2014. He is not considered independent due to his substantial shareholding in the Company.
Billie Jean Slott
Non-Executive Director
Ms Slott is well regarded in Cambodian legal and political circles where she has distinguished herself as a commercial and dispute resolution legal advisor over the past 16 years. She has represented both private companies and the Royal Government of Cambodia. Ms Slott has been the legal advisor for the Company’s 100% owned 2.0Mtpa Okvau Gold Project since 2006 (including its previous owners) and has been heavily involved in the regulatory process associated with the mine’s development into a 100,000+ ounce per annum gold producing Okvau Gold Mine. Ms Slott is a resident of California and member of the California State Bar.
Ms Slott is considered to be an independent director and was appointed as Non-executive Director on 4 October 2021. She is Chair of the Remuneration & Nomination Committee and a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.
Michael Bowen
Non-Executive Director
Mr Bowen is a partner of the national law firm Thomson Geer. He practices primarily corporate, commercial and securities law with an emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, capital raisings and resources. Mr Bowen advises both bidders and targets in various hostile and friendly takeovers and advises on schemes of arrangements for reconstructions and mergers and has extensive experience in negotiating the terms of joint venture arrangements for major projects. He holds a Bachelor of Laws, Jurisprudence and Commerce from the University of Western Australia. He has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia since 1979 and is also admitted as a solicitor of the High Court of Australia. He is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the Australian Society of Accountants.
Mr Bowen is considered to be an independent director and was appointed as Non-executive Director on 13 September 2022. He is Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and a member of the Remuneration & Nomination Committee.
Mark Clements
Company Secretary
Mr Clements has an extensive range of experience in capital management, finance, financial reporting, corporate strategy and governance across a range of industries. He was appointed Emerald’s Company Secretary on 20 August 2014 and was a Non-Executive Director from 20 June 2022 to 1 March 2024. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.