LONDON, UK: Savannah Resources plc, the European lithium development company, has announced pivotal changes within its leadership and board, signaling a significant phase of growth and development. These changes include the appointment of Mr. Emanuel Proença as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and the addition of two Non-Executive Directors. This development was disclosed on [Date].
Mr. Emanuel Proença, Savannah’s newly appointed CEO, brings a wealth of experience in Portuguese and international business across various sectors, including energy, tech investment, and management consultancy. His most recent role was as CEO of Prio’s industrial businesses, one of Portugal’s largest companies specializing in green fuels, biodiesel production, and electricity for mobility. Under his leadership, subsidiaries generated over €1.5 billion in revenue, contributing significantly to the group’s profitability.
As Savannah’s first Portuguese CEO, Mr. Proença will be based in Lisbon, providing a constant high-level presence in Portugal’s business, political, and media spheres. His mandate includes overseeing Savannah’s journey towards becoming a responsible lithium producer, an essential element in Europe’s growing lithium battery and electric mobility value chain.
Dale Ferguson, Savannah’s Interim CEO, will revert to his previous role as Technical Director, focusing on the ongoing technical development of the Barroso Lithium Project. He will continue to serve on the company’s board.
Additionally, Savannah Resources welcomes two new Non-Executive Directors:
- Bruce Griffin, an Independent Non-Executive Director, brings over two decades of experience in the mining sector. His recent role as Executive Chair of Sheffield Resources involved successful project construction and commissioning, including the Thunderbird minerals sands project in Australia.
- Mohamed Sulaiman, a Non-Executive Director, replaces the retiring Imad Sultan as the Board representative of Savannah’s largest shareholder, Al Marjan Ltd. Mr. Sulaiman is Head of Strategy at Towell Group, an Omani conglomerate, with extensive experience on the boards of both public and private companies, particularly in the energy sector.
Savannah Resources Chairman, Matthew King, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointments and commended Mr. Proença’s credentials and the strategic advantages of having a CEO based in Lisbon. He also thanked Dale Ferguson for his successful interim leadership.
Mr. Proença expressed his excitement about joining Savannah and emphasized his commitment to fostering understanding among stakeholders while accelerating a responsible energy transition for Europe and the world.
Bruce Griffin, Non-Executive Director, looks forward to leveraging his experience to ensure a positive outcome for Savannah during the development of the Barroso Lithium Project.
Mohamed Sulaiman, Non-Executive Director, expressed his honor at contributing to Europe’s energy self-sufficiency journey through Savannah’s development of lithium resources, underscoring the importance of such endeavors in addressing climate change and driving energy transition.
Savannah Resources’ leadership changes align with its mission to play a pivotal role in the evolving energy landscape, particularly in lithium battery production and electric mobility.
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