The African Lion team identifies, researches, reviews and recommends resource projects for investment to the African Lion Investment Committee. Each project is individually discriminated on country risk, seeking countries with the best geology and opportunities combined with the lowest political/economic/legal risk. The African Lion team is also able to call upon the expertise provided by the other Lion Manager Executives to analyse and evaluate opportunities, where appropriate.
Mike Brook BSc (Mining Geology), CEng MIMMM MAusIMM
Chairman – African Lion Funds; Executive Director – Lion Manager Pty Ltd
Mike Brook graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Geology from the University of Wales in 1981. He joined MIM Holdings Limited in Queensland in 1983 as a mine geologist in the copper and lead-zinc-silver operations, progressing to become Chief Geologist for the copper mining operation.
Mike joined stockbroker J B Were & Son in 1993 as a resource analyst specialising in emerging resource companies in the gold, base metals and mineral sands sectors. His research was recognised by the industry with an award from the Australian Gold Council for best junior company research in Australia in 2000. Mike joined the Lion team in 2001 as Manager African Funds. Mike became an executive director of Lion Manager Pty Limited in August 2004 and is Chairman of the African Lion Funds.
Tim Markwell BSc (Hons), F Fin
Manager, African Funds
Tim graduated with an honours degree in geology from the University of Western Australia in 1993, and worked in senior technical roles for over 12 years with BHP Billiton, Golder Associates and Minara Resources. Tim specialised in resource assessment and was involved in feasibility studies for many resource projects in Australia.
Having completed a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment with FINSIA in 2000, Tim worked as a Resource Analyst for a Perth-based broking firm where he completed numerous research reports on Australian mining and exploration companies. Prior to joining the Lion Manager, Tim was a Senior Investment Analyst for the LinQ Resources Fund where he was responsible for making investment recommendations on behalf of the fund.
Tim joined Lion in February 2007 to manage the African funds.
Damon Rhodes BSc (Hons), F Fin
Senior Mining Analyst, African Funds
Damon is a geologist who graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney, in 1998. His career started at the BHP Billiton iron ore operations in the Pilbara where he held mine geology, quality control, and near mine exploration and development roles.
In 2004, Damon completed the Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment with FINSIA and from 2005 until joining Lion in October 2007 was exploring for iron ore, coal and manganese across Australia, Africa and South America with BHP Billiton Minerals Exploration.
Lion Manager – Other Executives
Robin Widdup
Robin Widdup is a geologist by training and has worked in the Zambian copperbelt, for the National Coal Board in the United Kingdom and for Mt Isa Mines in Australia. He joined J B Were & Son as a mining analyst in 1986 and subsequently became Manager of Resource Research. Robin left J B Were in early 1997 to establish Lion Selection Group.
Chris Melloy
Chris Melloy is a mining engineer with experience in both operations and finance. He spent 11 years with MIM’s Mt Isa operations in planning, operating and senior management roles followed by 10 years as a mining analyst researching the base metals sector for J B Were & Son. Chris is an alternate director of AFL2 and a director of AFLM. Chris also sits on the AFL2 Investment Committee.
Hedley Widdup
Hedley Widdup graduated as a geologist with first class honours from the University of Melbourne in 2000. Upon finishing his degree, Hedley joined WMC Resources as a geologist working at the Mt Keith Nickel Mine. Hedley has extensive experience as a mine geologist having worked at Olympic Dam, Mt Isa (Black Star open cut mine) and the St Ives Gold Mine where he was Senior Mine Geologist of the combined open pits. Hedley joined the Lion Team in July 2007 as a senior mining analyst.
Craig Smyth
Craig graduated from the Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, and completed his Master of Applied Finance at the University of Melbourne. Craig’s financial background includes Coopers Lybrand, Credit Suisse First Boston (London) and ANZ Investment Bank. Craig is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia. Craig is also Managing Director of Lion Selection Group Limited.