Tivan Limited Forms Executive Team with Grant Wilson as Chair and Appoints Robert Gerrard as CEO to Accelerate Speewah and Molyhil Project Delivery

8 min read | July 21, 2026 09:15 AM AEST | By Aakashdeep

Tivan Limited (ASX:TVN), an Australian mineral exploration and development firm, has restructured its executive and leadership teams to boost operational readiness ahead of advancing its key assets: the Speewah Fluorite Project and the Molyhil Tungsten Project. The company named Robert Gerrard as Chief Executive Officer (Australia), elevated Dr Ellin Lede to the Board as Executive Director, and promoted Brendon Nicol to Chief Technical Officer. These appointments underscore Tivan's shift toward active project execution and its focus on internal talent development and expanding executive expertise.

Key Highlights

  • Tivan Limited (ASX:TVN) establishes a four-member Executive Team to lead operational readiness and project execution efforts.
  • Robert Gerrard appointed Chief Executive Officer (Australia), bringing over 18 years of experience managing large-scale capital projects in Australian resources and energy sectors.
  • Dr Ellin Lede joins the Board as Executive Director while maintaining her Chief Development Officer role; this marks the first Board change since September 2023.
  • Brendon Nicol promoted to Chief Technical Officer, overseeing all technical disciplines across the company.
  • Four additional Leadership Team appointments announced, reflecting merit-based internal promotions.

Robert Gerrard Joins as CEO, Bringing Extensive Major Project Delivery Expertise

Tivan has appointed Robert Gerrard as Chief Executive Officer (Australia) to spearhead the company’s operational shift towards project execution. Gerrard, who joined Tivan in April 2026 from Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) where he was Senior Director, Energy and Resources, brings more than 18 years of proven success leading complex, large-scale capital projects.

His portfolio includes significant developments such as the Carrapateena Copper-Gold Mine and three major liquefied natural gas projects: Pluto, Ichthys, and Gorgon. Additionally, Gerrard’s experience at KBR covers the Nolans Rare Earths Project, the Hillside Copper Project, and the Yuri Renewable Hydrogen to Ammonia Project, demonstrating expertise across multiple commodities and technologies aligned with Tivan’s development goals.

In his CEO role, Gerrard oversees commercial and operational workflows, contracts and procurement, workplace health and safety, and human resources. Since joining, he has conducted a comprehensive workplace health and safety review, led operational recruitment, and engaged with Tivan’s strategic partner Sumitomo Corporation. Gerrard has also accompanied Executive Chairman Grant Wilson in meetings with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders of the Speewah Fluorite Project, highlighting his early involvement in stakeholder relations.

Executive Team Formed to Drive Speewah and Molyhil Project Execution

Tivan has formalized a four-member Executive Team to enhance operational readiness and productivity as it transitions into project delivery. Led by Executive Chairman Grant Wilson, the team is charged with overseeing the execution of the Speewah Fluorite Project and the Molyhil Tungsten Project, both critical to Tivan’s shareholder value creation strategy.

The Executive Team includes Grant Wilson (Executive Chairman), Robert Gerrard (Chief Executive Officer Australia), Dr Ellin Lede (Chief Development Officer and newly appointed Executive Director), and Brendon Nicol (Chief Technical Officer). Delegations of authority will be assigned from the Executive Chairman to team members to foster productivity and professional growth. This formal executive structure marks a key operational milestone as Tivan moves from development to delivery preparation.

The team will collaborate closely with senior management, including Chief Commercial Officer Jason Giltay, recognized for his exceptional contributions since the management change in December 2022. This structure leverages existing expertise while integrating new leadership capabilities through Gerrard and Nicol.

Dr Ellin Lede Joins Board as Executive Director, First Board Update Since September 2023

Dr Ellin Lede has been appointed to Tivan’s Board as Executive Director, the first Board change since September 2023. Dr Lede joined Tivan two years ago as Head of Northern Australia and became Chief Development Officer in May 2025. Her Board appointment acknowledges her significant contributions and strategic importance as Tivan advances into project delivery.

With extensive government engagement and stakeholder relations experience, including leadership roles at Fortescue Future Industries and advisory positions to Northern Territory Chief Ministers, Dr Lede is well positioned to manage government relations across Australia, Japan, and Timor-Leste. She will continue overseeing community and stakeholder engagement, including with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders.

Her appointment marks her first Board role at an ASX-listed company, reflecting Tivan’s commitment to promoting internal talent and merit-based advancement. Dr Lede’s local heritage and strong standing in the Northern Territory align closely with Tivan’s mission.

Brendon Nicol Elevated to Chief Technical Officer Following Significant Contributions

Brendon Nicol has been promoted to Chief Technical Officer, recognizing his vital role in Tivan’s corporate turnaround and project advancement since the management change in December 2022. Previously Technical Director since May 2025, Nicol’s promotion reflects his technical expertise and commercial insight.

As CTO, Nicol will oversee all technical disciplines including metallurgy, engineering, mining, and geology. He will collaborate closely with Project Director Michael Christ (Speewah), Chief Geologist Stephen Walsh, and Project Manager Yohanes Suryaputradinata (Molyhil), consolidating technical leadership to advance the Speewah Fluorite Project toward a Final Investment Decision and accelerate the broader project pipeline.

The Board’s decision also highlights Nicol’s respected status among peers and strategic partner Sumitomo Corporation. His internal promotion aims to leverage his project delivery insights, foster professional growth, and inspire accelerated career progression within Tivan.

Leadership Team Expanded with New Appointments and Internal Promotions

Tivan has broadened its Leadership Team, initially established in May 2025 to expand executive capabilities company-wide. The Board emphasizes promoting from within to strengthen firm culture and support long-term development. Recent appointments reflect both achievement and strategic leadership expansion.

New and transitioned Leadership Team members include Major Michael Stone (Retired), moving from Technical Advisory Group to Special Advisor in Timor-Leste, aligning with Tivan’s strategic focus on that jurisdiction. Maddalyn McBeath was promoted from Commercial Manager to Commercial Director based in Darwin. Michael Fuss joins as Principal Geologist in Darwin, and Yohanes Suryaputradinata was appointed Project Manager for the Molyhil Tungsten Project.

These appointments underscore merit-based advancement and the company’s operational focus in Northern Australia, with leadership roles centered near key projects and stakeholder communities.

Executive Structure Aligned to Speewah Fluorite and Molyhil Tungsten Projects

Tivan’s Executive Team formation and leadership appointments directly support its flagship Speewah Fluorite and Molyhil Tungsten Projects. The Executive Team is tasked with enhancing operational readiness and productivity in preparation for executing these capital-intensive projects.

The Speewah Fluorite Project is the primary focus, with Gerrard’s CEO role linked to driving it toward a Final Investment Decision. His early engagement with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders underscores the priority of stakeholder relations. Concurrently, the Molyhil project benefits from Nicol’s technical oversight and Suryaputradinata’s project management, reflecting coordinated advancement within the portfolio.

This dual-project approach enables Tivan to manage sequential development pathways while maintaining operational efficiency and technical coherence. The senior executives’ combined expertise in LNG, capital projects, technical leadership, and government engagement positions Tivan for successful execution.

Strategic Partnership with Sumitomo Corporation and Multi-Jurisdictional Government Engagement

Tivan’s executive restructuring highlights its strategic partnership with Sumitomo Corporation and the critical role of government engagement across Australia, Japan, and Timor-Leste. Gerrard has actively engaged with Sumitomo since his appointment, and Nicol is highly regarded by the partner, indicating Sumitomo’s significant role in project financing or development strategy.

Government relations are central to the leadership structure. Dr Lede continues to lead engagement efforts across multiple jurisdictions, while Major Michael Stone’s appointment as Special Advisor in Timor-Leste underlines the importance of that region. This international scope suggests strategic considerations involving supply chains, markets, or financing from regional partners.

Engagement with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders is prioritized through Dr Lede’s Board-level oversight and Gerrard’s early stakeholder meetings at Speewah, reflecting regulatory compliance and social license imperatives in Northern Australia.

Board’s Role in Corporate Turnaround and Transition to Project Delivery

Dr Ellin Lede’s Board appointment occurs within the context of Tivan’s comprehensive corporate turnaround since December 2022. The Board has maintained stability since September 2023 and views current appointments as integral to transitioning from turnaround management to project delivery leadership.

The Board congratulates Dr Lede on her first ASX-listed company Board role, emphasizing internal talent development. The simultaneous establishment of the Executive Team and multiple promotions marks a strategic inflection point toward operational delivery.

The Board expresses confidence in Gerrard’s personal attributes and commitment to drive Tivan forward, particularly in delivering the Speewah Fluorite Project. Nicol is described as an outstanding talent with multidisciplinary skills, commercial acumen, and a strong work ethic, highlighting the Board’s holistic leadership criteria.

Appointment Terms and Delegations of Authority Framework

The company update references Material Terms for Robert Gerrard’s and Dr Ellin Lede’s appointments detailed in Appendices A and B, covering remuneration, performance conditions, and term length as per ASX listing rules. Investors seeking specifics should consult these appendices.

Delegations of authority will be assigned from Executive Chairman Grant Wilson to Executive Team members to enhance productivity and professional development. This governance model balances formal authority with operational agility as Tivan advances multiple projects toward delivery.


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