Syrah Resources Limited announced the appointment of Shaun Verner as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective February 3. Shaun joined the Company in October 2016 as Executive General Manager - Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining Syrah, Shaun was at BHP Billiton for 20 years in a variety of executive roles, with extensive international commercial and operational experience across a range of commodities including copper and base metals, uranium and thermal and metallurgical coal. Shaun is a proven senior executive with extensive general management and cross-functional commercial, operations, supply chain, and leadership experience.

After a period of four months acting as Executive Chairman, Jim Askew will revert to his Non-Executive Chairman role. However, Jim will continue to support the development of the Battery Anode Material (BAM) Qualification Plant project in Louisiana in the near term, from his Denver Colorado base. He will also support Shaun in his capacity as Managing Director and CEO over the next month, whilst Shaun advances the development of Syrah's immediate sales, marketing and logistics strategy and activities.

The company announced the appointment of Rob Schaefer as Chief Commercial Officer, with accountability for sales and marketing strategy, outbound logistics, and strategic supply contracts. Rob has extensive sales, marketing and finance experience in the resources industry with senior roles at WMC Limited, BHP Billiton and most recently MMG Ltd. across the commercial spectrum. Rob will commence with the Company in early March 2017, and Shaun will progressively hand over his accountabilities at that time.