High Peak Royalties Ltd (ASX:HPR) has strengthened its board with the election of experienced geologist and former non-executive director James Knowles as chairman.
Knowles has more than 25 years of experience as a geologist, working in senior roles for companies such as BHP (ASX:BHP), Peabody Energy Australia and more recently being a founder and director of Measured Group Pty Ltd.
His participation at a board level has included applying his technical and commercial knowledge across High Peak’s royalty portfolio and geothermal tenement set.
High Peak’s board is confident that he will continue to progress the company’s future plans with his proven expertise.
The company thanks interim chairman David Croll for leading High Peak through the process of selecting a permanent chairman and its strategic review of its portfolio over the past year.
“Exciting time for energy and commodities”
Commenting on his appointment, High Peak chairman James Knowles said: “I look forward to using my industry experience to lead High Peak at a challenging but exciting time for energy and commodities generally.
“High Peak has an established portfolio and unique exposure to a range of projects that will have an important part to play in the energy sector over the long term.
“The current energy markets, and the focus on energy security, augers well for the company’s interests and I look forward to working with the board to add value for our shareholders.
“I thank my fellow directors for their support and confidence in electing me as High Peak’s chairman and look forward to addressing shareholders at the upcoming 2022 Annual General Meeting.”
New opportunities
The change in board composition follows recent, and anticipated activity over the coming months, in relation to royalties that High Peak holds in Queensland and Northern Territory.
In addition, a recent overall increase in market sentiment toward energy prices, geothermal projects and opportunities relating to the uptake in hydrogen, of which the company has exposure to multiple assets and tenements.
Interim chairman David Croll said: “Having spent 12 months working with the board to stabilise High Peak’s balance sheet and having strategically reviewed the company’s asset base, it is appropriate to appoint a permanent and industry-based chairman to High Peak as it seeks to implement the learnings of that strategic review, and importantly ensure that the company best utilises that asset base in the current energy market in addition to defining new opportunities.”