Changes at the top for Universal Resources, Alba and GRD

Resource groups Universal Resources Ltd and Alba Mining Ltd, as well as contruction group GRD Ltd have all announced board changes today.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Universal Resources has appointed Michael Hulmes as managing director, effective from May 8, 2006.
Mr Hulmes will earn a salary of $250,000 per annum from the position, plus an incentive component of 6 million options, in three tranches up to 2009, to acquire fully paid ordinary shares in the company.

Mr Peter Ingram, the current Chairman and Managing Director will remain as Executive Chairman of the group.
Mr Hulmes joins the company at a crucial stage, with the Roseby feasibility study nearing completion and the probability that the company will be entering the ranks of mid-tier copper producers.

The company believes that Mr Hulmes will bring a wealth of operational and management experience to the role, and is well placed to take the company into the next phase of its development.
Mr Hulmes has over 24 years experience as a mining engineer in both open cut and underground mines, including 10 years as resident manager and then general manager of the Plutonic Gold Mine in Western Australia.

Meanwhile, Abra Mining Ltd has also appointed a new managing director to head the next phase of exploration at its base metals project in central Western Australia.

Jeff Moore, the former managing director of Allied Gold, will take on the role from April 18 and brings a strong background in Australian and internationally-focused resource companies.

Dr Chris Stephens, who has been acting Chief Executive Officer, will retain his position with Abra as Chief Geologist.

Abra Chairman, Robert Anderson, said the board believed Mr Moore's record and mix of corporate and operational skills were ideal for what will be required to move Abra through its next phase and beyond.

"Being able to appoint someone of Jeff s calibre, particularly given the current skills shortages facing the resources industry, has been a coup," he said.

Construction and development group GRD Ltd has also made some executive changes, with recently appointed chief executive Cliff Lawrenson, today being appointed as a director of the GRD board.

Peter Bryant has been appointed to fill the role of company secretary vacated by Mr Lawrenson.

This follows the Board's decisions to split the roles of chairman and chief executive officer.

Mr Lawrenson joined GRD in July 2004 as director of finance. Prior to thi she spent seven years with CMS Energy Corporation in the United States as vice president financial, advisory and strategic planning.