Young steps down from Pilbara board

Pilbara Minerals founder John Young has stepped down from the company’s board, with Sally-Anne Layman set to become a non-executive director as the company closes in on first lithium production.

Mr Young is pursuing other business commitments, primarily as managing director of ASX-listed Spitfire Materials.

He co-founded Pilbara with Neil Biddle four years ago, and has helped grow the company to a market capitalisation of about $1.5 billion.

Construction of the Pilgangoora project is nearing completion, while plant commissioning is on track to commence this quarter.

Ms Layman has been appointed as a replacement, effective immediately.

She has experience across a variety of sectors and currently serves as a non-executive director with Imdex, Gascoyne Resources and Perseus Mining.

Chairman Tony Kiernan thanked Mr Young for his contribution to the company.

“John played a pivotal role as an executive technical director from the early stages of the company’s development, assisting Neil Biddle with the all-important technical evaluation and resource drill-out at Pilgangoora, feasibility studies, financing and subsequently project development,” he said

“He continued to make a strong contribution as a non-executive director, providing valuable advice and input on the company’s technical, strategic and corporate development.

“We wish him well for the future.”

Mr Kiernan welcomed Ms Layman to the board.

“Sally-Anne is well known and highly respected in mining and financial circles across Australia, having had a distinguished career in investment banking with Macquarie Bank,” Mr Kiernan said

“She has a deep understanding of the opportunities, issues and challenges facing mid-tier mining companies, and brings a tremendous skill-set and depth of expertise in commercial and financial matters that will be invaluable to the company as we move into production.”

Shares in Pilbara were up nearly 3 per cent at 90 cents each.