Cornish Lithium Ltd. (the “Company” or “Cornish Lithium”), the innovative mineral exploration and development company based in Cornwall, UK, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Ian Cockerill, a mining industry veteran, as Independent Non-Executive Chairman. The Company has also appointed experienced mining industry executive, Janet Blas as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Cornish Lithium is also pleased to announce that Varshan Gokool, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed to the Board as an Executive Director.
Following Ian Cockerill’s appointment, former Chairman, Derek Linfield will transition to a Non-Executive Director role and former Non-Executive Director, Louise Wrathall will step down from the Board to concentrate on her other business interests.
Jeremy Wrathall, CEO and Founder of Cornish Lithium, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Derek and Louise for their major contributions to the Company’s development over the past five years and look forward to Derek’s continued involvement as a non-executive director. We are also excited to welcome Ian and Janet to Cornish Lithium. I am delighted that the Company is able to attract an Independent Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director of such calibre and experience. Cornish Lithium has grown rapidly over the past two years and the time is now right to expand and strengthen our Board in line with best corporate governance practice, as we move into the next stage of the Company’s development. I am confident that Ian’s technical and industry knowledge combined with Janet’s strategic and financial expertise will prove invaluable to Cornish Lithium as our portfolio of projects progresses.
“I am also pleased to welcome Varshan to the Board. Since joining Cornish Lithium at the end of 2020, he has been instrumental in the rapid development of the Company and the Board will benefit from his extensive industry and financing experience.”
Ian Cockerill, Non-Executive Chairman of Cornish Lithium, said: “I am excited to be joining Cornish Lithium at this pivotal time in its evolution. The Company has a highly prospective portfolio of projects and is well-positioned to play a leading role in the development of a domestic supply of lithium that is vital for the development of battery manufacturing in the UK. The momentum is building for the minerals extraction industry in Cornwall and Cornish Lithium is a key player in this sector. I look forward to working with Jeremy and the team to realise the Company’s significant potential for the benefit of Cornwall and the UK.”
About Ian Cockerill
Ian has more than 45 years’ experience in the global natural resources industry. He has extensive operational, project and leadership expertise, having held executive roles at major international mining companies, including Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields and Anglo Coal, a subsidiary of Anglo American, and other non-executive positions.
Ian is currently a Non-Executive Director of BHP Group and is Senior Independent Director at Endeavour Mining. He also serves on the board of private company I-Pulse Inc; and Ian is a founding board member of an African wildlife charity called The Leadership for Conservation in Africa. He has previously held the positions of Chair of BlackRock World Mining Trust and Non-Executive Chair of Polymetal International.
Ian holds a BSc(Hons) degree in Geology from the University of London, an MSc in Mineral Production Management from the Royal School of Mines at Imperial College and participated in the Advanced Management Programme at Templeton College, Oxford.
About Janet Blas
Janet is currently Chief Financial Officer of Bacanora Lithium, which was acquired by Ganfeng Lithium in December 2021 for approximately £275 million. Janet is a certified public accountant who has held a number of senior financial roles including Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Gemfields, where she played a key role in the formulation and implementation of group strategy. In addition, Janet managed Gemfields’ preparations for a London Stock Exchange Main Market listing.
Prior to Gemfields, Janet held a number of senior finance positions with ENRC (August 2007 – July 2013), including a key role on ENRC’s IPO on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange with the company joining the FTSE 100 index. Previously, Janet was part of the Audit and Assurance Services team at Ernst & Young in London and PWC in the Philippines (2002 – 2007).
About Varshan Gokool
Varshan joined Cornish Lithium in November 2020 and has more than 20 years’ of mining industry experience, guiding TSX and AIM listed companies from project definition through to development and construction across a number of international jurisdictions, including Euromax Resources in North Macedonia, European Goldfields in Greece and Romania and Katanga Mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Varshan holds a B.Bus.Sci (Finance & Accounting) from the University of Cape Town, South Africa and is a CFA charterholder of the CFA Institute.
For further information about Cornish Lithium, please contact:
Neil Elliot, Manager – Corporate Development: IR@cornishlithium.com
National media enquiries: cornishlithium@blytheray.com; +44 (0) 207 138 3205
Local/regional media enquiries: Jilly Easterby at Curlew PR; curlew@hotmail.co.uk; 07743 164434
