Lawrenson takes top job at Atlas Iron

Pacific Energy chairman Cliff Lawrenson will add the top job at Atlas Iron to his list of roles after being appointed chief executive and managing director of the iron ore miner today.

Mr Lawrenson will receive the same base salary of $669,790 that his predecessor (and company founder) David Flanagan received before his departure earlier this year.

Mr Flanagan succeeded Ken Brinsden as managing director at Atlas last year. Mr Brinsden’s last base salary at the miner was $797,129 following a pay cut, according to BNiQ data..

Mr Lawrenson was chief executive of Pilbara-focused iron ore company FerrAus until it was acquired by Atlas in 2011.

He then joined phosphate play Avenira (formerly known as Minemakers) as chief executive, and will be finishing up his tenure soon.

Mr Lawrenson, who has also served as Pacific’s chairman since 2010, will begin his new role at Atlas from February next year.

“Cliff’s experience in both the resources and corporate arenas will be invaluable as Atlas seeks to capitalise on the opportunities it has following the restructure,” Atlas chairman Eugene Davis said.

“He is well versed in project development, he knows the WA resources industry well and he has extensive experience at both management and corporate levels.”

Atlas shares were unchanged at 2.4 cents each.