Management Team
Roger Martin
Director of Operations
Roger completed a B.A. in Economics and then joined Laporte Chemical group where he trained in Project Management before moving to Rothmans International as divisional Production Engineering Manager. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, he worked with P.A. Consulting and Handley-Walker Ltd prior to founding an independent consultancy specialising in Project Management and Operational Performance Improvement in Europe, the US and MENA in both public and private sectors. He has worked with EDC Holdings Group for many years on projects covering acquisition integration, change management, operational performance improvement and major project control with particular emphasis on the direction, management and achievement of project teams undertaking targeted capital projects around the world.
Hugh Blakely
Chief Financial Officer
Hugh is a senior financial executive with an extensive career across finance, operations and general management and has grown to become an esteemed problem solver, professional and coach who creates motivated workforces to ensure successful and sustainable organizational and cultural change. He has been recognized for setting and achieving high standards, without sacrificing quality of service. Among Hugh’s specific areas of expertise are mergers and acquisitions, treasury management, financial reporting and corporate governance. He has had extensive experience in Russia, North America, and South America, alongside being a Chartered Accountant and holding Chief Financial Officer posts for public corporations in both the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Richard Ebeling
Project Development Director
Richard is a results-driven project director based in Australia with extensive experience spanning mining, energy, petrochemical, and infrastructure industries. He has a proven ability to develop and execute high-impact strategies, manage operations and lead teams across the full project lifecycle—from concept and tender evaluation to execution and delivery. Richard is an expert in capital stewardship, contract development and portfolio management with a hands-on approach to driving operational efficiency and business transformation. He is skilled in navigating complex engineering challenges and implementing practices that position organizations for long-term success alongside his adeptness at leading large-scale initiatives that optimize performance, enhance sustainability, and foster innovation.
Key Advisors
Max Finskiy
Advisor
Max is a global businessman with interests worldwide. He graduated initially from Moscow Institute of Finance with a degree in finance and lending and then from the University of International Relations in St Petersburg with a degree in law. He is a former Chairman of Moscow Bank for Development and Reconstruction and of the Board of the United Regional Bank. For several years he was also first deputy chairman of the board of a private bank -International Company for Finance and Investment (MFK). Following his banking experience, he was deputy director general of the world’s largest Nickel producer, – Mining and Metallurgical Company Norilsk Nickel Open JSC- followed by being president of Mining and Metallurgical Company Intergeo. He has managed multi-billion-dollar operations and been responsible for major acquisitions and growth within the mining and primary metals sector and has been associated with EDCHG since 2010. Max’s professional journey also boasts a wealth of prior experience in investment banking, commodity trading, and the mining and metals industry, with multiple merger and acquisition transactions for a few billion dollars. He is currently living in Miami and involved in construction development and mining operations.
Juliya Arbisman
Independent Legal Advisor
Juliya is a UK and US qualified lawyer, and a Partner in the Energy & Natural Resources group of the international law firm Reed Smith. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.She has advised on significant cooper and gold mining projects, particularly in Africa and Latin America. Her strategic approach allows her to focus on protecting assets and mitigating risks, with a proven track record of securing favorable settlements and preventing liabilities where dispute resolution becomes necessary. She adopts a strategic approach and has been lauded for her balance of macro and micro elements informing the project. With a focus on protecting assets and balancing risks, she believes in proactive management of situations especially as regards communications with stakeholders such as governments, investors, and communities. Juliya’s industry knowledge is complemented by her experience on boards and advisory councils, particularly within the Women in Mining organization, where she offers strategic guidance. She serves on the board of a London-based mining advisory firm. Her deep understanding of the mining sector, combined with her board experience, positions her as a valuable asset in offering strategic and operational guidance.
Professor Ramachandran Vasant Kumar FIMMM, FEI, FIAAM, FRSC
Extraction & Processing Advisor
Ramachandran is a Professor and Distinguished Research Fellow of Materials Chemistry, holding the post of Emeritus Fellow of Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, UK. He has published over 400 papers, authored over 20 Chapters in Handbooks and 2 edited books, and holds over 30 patents, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy, Trans IMMC, IOM3/AusIMM, Sage Publications and Battery Materials, Pivot Science Publications. Ramachandran is also an Advisory Board Member TechMet Ltd., CSO at Ever Resource Ltd/ Regenerate Inc and Director at EMC Ltd and MNST pvt. Ltd.
Igor Lavs
Advisor (Europe)
Simba has many years experience in African politics and business having held several ministerial positions including Minister of Industry and Energy Development and Minister of Finance and Economic Development in Zimbabwe before resigning from the cabinet and ZANU-PF due to policy differences and standing as an independent candidate for the Presidency of Zimbabwe. As a former Executive Secretary of SADC (South Africa Development Community), he is well-known amongst his peers and takes a continued interest in the Development of Southern Africa in general, and Zimbabwe in particular, where he is currently the President of the MKD Party. He has been MD of businesses in Media and Distribution and is currently President and CEO of Makonsult, established in 2001 to concentrate on business development in Southern Africa. He has been associated with EDC Holdings Group for over 15 years and continues to support our activities in the Southern African region.
Simba Makoni
Advisor (Southern Africa)
Simba has many years experience in African politics and business having held several ministerial positions including Minister of Industry and Energy Development and Minister of Finance and Economic Development in Zimbabwe before resigning from the cabinet and ZANU-PF due to policy differences and standing as an independent candidate for the Presidency of Zimbabwe. As a former Executive Secretary of SADC (South Africa Development Community), he is well-known amongst his peers and takes a continued interest in the Development of Southern Africa in general, and Zimbabwe in particular, where he is currently the President of the MKD Party. He has been MD of businesses in Media and Distribution and is currently President and CEO of Makonsult, established in 2001 to concentrate on business development in Southern Africa. He has been associated with EDC Holdings Group for over 15 years and continues to support our activities in the Southern African region.