Management

James is an international executive and serial entrepreneur.

He has worked on many natural resources projects with African governments and is considered an expert in the African business landscape.

James emphasizes the importance of being a promoter and actively involved in African projects by identifying missed opportunities and de-risking them. He believes that a hands-on, flexible approach to researching and devising investment strategies is central to the firm's mission.

Chris Parry is a senior principal mining engineer and geologist based in London, United Kingdom, with more than 40 years of experience focusing on resource discovery, production, project development, and mine building in Africa, South America, and the Arctic.

Hawa Kone Diaré is a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning gemology, political science, and international trade. With formal training as a gemologist and a degree in political sciences, she has built a multifaceted career across sectors including fishing, cattle, agriculture, and the precious stones and metals industries. Her entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by a deep understanding of both grassroots and global markets, supported by an extensive professional network throughout West Africa and Europe. Her unique blend of expertise, resilience, and cross-sectoral knowledge makes her a respected figure in the business communities she engages with.

Michael Brown is the Chief of Operations, overseeing operational strategy, execution, and day-to-day management across the company’s activities. He ensures operational efficiency, coordination between teams, and the effective delivery of projects in line with the company’s strategic objectives.

Gert Buelens is a seasoned legal expert with over 25 years of experience. He became a partner in 2001 and has led his firm since 2007.

A versatile practitioner, he has held key roles in the Mechelen Bar and the European Young Bar Association, building strong professional networks across Belgium and beyond.

Lionel Therond, CFA® has over 30 years of experience in natural resources and banking. He is a co-founder and partner at Blue Oak Advisory, a London-based corporate finance boutique focused on natural resources and ancillary sectors in developed and developing markets. He also serves as a Director of IStar Capital Ltd, a London and Dubai based independent investment banking firm that connects institutional investors with high-growth emerging markets. Prior to that, Lionel was a Managing Director at Standard Bank until 2016. He previously served as a multi-year top-ranked buy-side analyst and fund manager with JPMorgan Asset Management until 2009, and began his career with Royal Dutch Shell managing exploration projects internationally. Lionel holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MPhil and an MSc in Geology and Geophysics from ENSG Nancy