MARK Ashley (above) will join Perth-headquartered resources explorer Apex Minerals NL as chief executive officer and managing director to steer it through a $7 million expansion phase. The appointment of the former LionOre Ltd head heralds a new strategic direction for the company. Mr Ashley’s move involves an issue of 8.8 million shares to him, for $615,300, and he will take the helm of the Mark Creasy-founded Apex with immediate effect. There will be a number of other key board and management changes. Kim Robinson, who is executive chairman of Kagara Zinc Ltd, will join the board as a non-executive director, and Dr Mark Bennett is expected to join the company as exploration director in May 2006. Stephen Stone will become non-executive chairman and continue to manage Apex’s China operations. Steve Lowe will continue as a non-executive director, while Philip Pullinger will step down from the board.