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Vytas

Vytas

Powering the Future

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    • About Vytas
    • Vision, Mission and Values
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    • Green Hydrogen
    • Ultra High Purity Quartz
    • Nanoporous Silicon
    • Silane
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Board & Management

Our goal is to reset what is possible in technology and the renewable economy, by producing quality technology materials and making them affordable.

To achieve this, we choose agility and appreciate improvement comes with thinking differently and doing things differently. We are fast, nimble, adapt as we learn, continuously evolving our processes and organisation to deliver.

We say it, we mean it, we deliver! This is Vytas.

Peter Nicholson

Non-Executive Chairman

Reneke van Soest

Non-ExecutiveDirector

David Cornell

Managing Director

Phillip Bellamy

Non-Executive Director

Neala Gillespie

Manager OH&S and Environment

Raymond Pratt

Director of Group Entity

Electrical & Construction

Erik Limpaecher

Director of Group Entity

Solid State Fuels & Electrical Engineer

Julian Ford

Chief Technical Officer

Chemical Engineer

Conrad Mulherin

Chief Commercial Officer

Adam Pratt

Research & Development

PhD. Sc

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Marriott

Office Manager

Jim Voss

Leadership Team

Nuclear Engineer

Dragan Supljeglav

Project Manager

David Palfrey

Business Development & Finance Manager

Jack Rosagro

Company Secretary

Sean Yardley

Senior Process Operator

Paul Rayner

Senior Process Technician

Kurk Heald

Marine Engineer & Hydrogen Systems

David Western

Laboratory Manager

Scott Stipovich

Assay Laboratory Manager & R&D Chemist

Sam Collins

Geology Manager

KD Auclair

Leadership Team

Dan Manetas

Laboratory Technician

Disclosures:

  • Erik Limpaecher is an adviser to the Group and a director of Vice Pty Ltd
  • Raymond Pratt is an adviser to the Group and a director of Vice Pty Ltd

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Contact

+61 418 910 747

[email protected]

23 Success Way, Henderson
Western Australia 6166

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Senior Process Technician

Paul Rayner

Paul has 30 years experience in the mining industry as a process technician in minerals and energy. Throughout these years he has gained a wealth of knowledge in various operations relevant to high purity production and hydrogen.

Paul has a trade in electrical and mechanical which he draws on every day. Safety and sustainability are key attributes of Paul. 

He is a father to 6 children and 3 grand children and enjoys fishing and camping with his family and friends.

Marine Engineer & Hydrogen Systems

Kurk Heald

(M.Eng CL1))

Kurk has 30 years of experience in the maritime engineering, involved at significant engineering levels with the government, defence and the commercial sector. His last project was based in Korea, building and commissioning the worlds largest offshore energy production installation now successfully operating in Australian waters.

Kurk was a founding member of Vytas and been instrumental in equipment selection and construction to meet the high operational demands and safety standards. Kurk holds the highest Australian Maritime Safety Authority Engineering Qualification as well as a Lloyds Institute certified Surveyor.

Non-Executive Director

Reneke Van Soest

(M. Eng (Chem), GAICD and Dip Indigenous Culture)

Reneke is a Chemical Engineer and executive leader with 25+ years’ experience across different countries and roles within the energy industry.

Reneke’s experience includes GM of Transformation (decarbonisation) at Santos and roles with Beach, Shell and Origin Energy ranging from exploration and production to risk management and transformation. This breadth of experience showcases adaptability, versatility and leading improvements.

Reneke has a Masters in Chemical Engineering, GAICD and a Diploma in Indigenous Culture Studies.

Office Manager

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Marriott

Elizabeth (Lizzy) has over 15 years of experience as a Project Administrator and Office Manager specialising in business support, team coordination and client services.

Known for her strong organisational skills and results-driven approach, Lizzy plays a key role in streamlining operations and ensuring efficiency across our growing team.

Assay Laboratory Manager

Scott Stipovich

(B.Sc Physics and Nanotechnology)

Scott is a chemist with 10 years of experience in laboratory settings, he brings a passion for instrumentation and analytical method development. 

Scott is responsible for Vytas’ assay laboratory construction, analytical method development (ICP-OES, ICP-MS), complex sample matrix processing and metallurgical process development, calcination, phase transformation mechanisms and training the laboratory support team.

His Bachelor of Science majors were physics and nanotechnology, being relevant to Vytas’ Technology Materials and Green Hydrogen On Demand.

Manager – OH&S and Environment

Neala Gillespie

(B.Sc. Env and M.Sc. OHS)

Neala Gillespie is a sustainability leader within the resources sector with over 30 years’ experience providing strategic and practical direction in the environmental, health and safety, and social governance areas in the resources sector and held senior roles from the development phase through to closure in Australia and overseas.

Neala is responsible for ensuring systems are implemented in the environmental and safety areas and supporting Vytas in its rapid growth phase in these areas and ensuring good practices systems are in place.

Neala holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Masters of Science in OHS.

Project Manager

Dragan Supljeglav

Dragan a Project Manager at Vytas; is an accomplished Continues Improvement Specialist and Production Superintendent with over 32 years’ experience working at BHP and WMC.

Dragan focus is operational improvement, equipment operation and maintenance, cost management, HSE compliance, standardisation of work practices, quality control, to enable safe delivery of projects.

Dragan holds a Certificate of Business Management from Deakin University.            

Research & Development

Adam Pratt

(B. Sc Env, Phd. Sc)

Adam Pratt has 30 years’ experience in science, ultra high purity materials and the clean energy & resources sector within Australia and overseas.

Adam has been instrumental in the development team, advancing Ultra High Purity Quartz, synthetic silica, silane, carbon free silicon and Vytas’ Green Hydrogen On Demand project.

Adam’s Phd in science and extensive relevant industry experience. enabled Vytas to advance its projects efficiently and effectively. 

Senior Process Operator

Sean Yardley

Sean brings to Vytas over 30 years experience with BHP, WMC and WASA, with extensive experience in continuous operating metallurgical plants.

In his capacity as a Specialist Level Process Operator, Sean has managed complex processes, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, whilst driving efficiency and process improvement.

Laboratory Technician

Dan Manetas

(B.Comm & Master Chem Eng)

Dan is a chemical engineer having completed his Masters of Professional Engineering (Chemical Engineering) and has a Bachelor of Commerce, Engineering Science and Finance.

Dan is a valuable team member, leading the pathway in Vytas’ laboratory working on Green Hydrogen On Demand, Ultra High Purity Quartz and Carbon Free Silicon.

Laboratory Manager

David Western

(B.Sc and M.Sc (Research))

David has a background in inorganic chemistry and significant in technology materials, R&D and the mining industry. Including managed hydro-metallurgy laboratories, been a process engineer and a laboratory technician of an analytical laboratory.

David is currently the laboratory technician of the R&D laboratory at Vytas. He brings his laboratory and wet chemistry knowledge into developing and conducting test work as well as managing the R&D laboratory.

David has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Research at Western Sydney University.

Geology Manager

Sam Collins

(B.Sc Geology)

Sam is an experienced Geology Manager with over a decade of working in resources industry, environmental management, laboratory testing, metallurgy and Ultra High Purity Materials.

Sam is responsible for tenement management including stakeholder relations, resource modelling, mining approvals, environmental compliance and environmental impact assessment.

Sam has a Bachelor’s degree focused in Applied Geology from Curtin University.

Director of Group Entity

Raymond Pratt

Projects – Electrical & Construction

Raymond Pratt believes that growth and support for Indigenous business ownership within the wider community will advance Indigenous entrepreneurship, and thereby improve social and employment opportunities and overall wellbeing for Indigenous people.

Director and founder Raymond Pratt is a proud Western Arrernte man who pursued his dream of becoming an electrician and now leads one of the Northern Territories largest electrical and construction firms, Dice Electrical, with a national footprint.

A passion for improving the employment and economic opportunities for Indigenous people was the driving force of Raymond in the early days. Whilst it remains a key goal, Raymond is focussed on empowering people and powering thriving communities. Raymond achieves this goal with his hands-on trade experience to contribute to several Indigenous business with leading technologies globally such as Green Hydrogen On demand.

Chief Commercial Officer

Conrad Mulherin

(BSc (Geo))

Conrad brings 13 years of experience in a variety of commercial roles across the mining and minerals industry.

Conrad co-authored the Australian Silicon Action Plan with the CSIRO. He was previously a director of a consulting and advisory practice in critical minerals at a large professional services organisation, working with a range of private and public sector clients.

Prior to that, he was on the investment team at a leading mining and resources private equity firm. Conrad is a geologist with degrees from Queen’s University in Canada and University College London.

Company Secretary

Jack Rosagro

Jack is Chartered Company Secretary, a Fellow of Governance Institute of Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance. He has 16 years’ experience in capital markets, share registry, and governance.

He is currently the company secretary for several ASX listed clients including Synergia Energy Limited (ASX:SYN), MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX:MGA), Intra Energy Corporation Limited (ASX: IEC), and Harvest Technology Group Limited (ASX: HTG).

Leadership Team

KD Auclair

Kim held the position of Chief Engineer of Advanced Technology, Data Visualisation, Extreme Environment Operations and Risk Management for Bechtel Corporation’s R&D group.

Kim’s experience in separation technologies, power generation, industrial robotics, remote systems and emerging technologies is fast tracking Vytas ultra high purity and hydrogen power generation program.

Leadership Team

Jim Voss

(FIEAust, EurIng, FNucI, CEng)

Jim Voss is a nuclear engineer with 35 years of professional experience in the management of nuclear materials and nuclear power, rare earths and renewable energy.

Jim’s experience in environmental management has developed processes relevant to the high purity and technology materials sector, fast tracking Vytas’ high purity silica, high purity aluminium, rare earths and hydrogen.

Director Group Entity

Yaxi Zhan

(AusIMM, CPA, BSc, MAcc)

Yaxi circa 20 years experience in management and the mining & resources industry in Australia. Skilled in Management, Corporate Finance, Business Development and International Trade.

Yaxi holds the position as Managing Director of Accelerate Resources Limited. She is a member of AusIMM, CPA Australia and Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Director of Group Entity

Erik Limpaecher

(B.Sc (Electrical Eng))

Erik has over two decade of experience with hydrogen and power systems including senior appointments at Lincoln Laboratory and the Office of Naval Research where he led programs on hydrogen-fueled expeditionary energy, advanced batteries and powertrains, and solid and synthetic fuels technology R&D.

Erik is currently the Chief Innovation Officer at Mach Industries, a technology partner of Vytas.

Chief Technical Officer

Julian Ford

(BSc (Chem Eng), B.Comm, Dip Bus)

Julian is an experienced mining executive having managing director experience of listed mining companies. Julian has lead mining operations from exploration through development phase and operations. Experienced in resource marketing and off-take, hydro-metallurgy, mineral process operations, underground mining and resource definition.

Julian brings significant experience relating the development and production of high purity products and operating at both laboratory scale through to commercial production.

Business Development & Finance Manager

David Palfrey

(B.Comm (Fin))

David has decades of project management and commercial experience in the energy sector.

David leads Vytas’ Finance team in the capacity of Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Vytas David was General Manager of Finance with the United Energy Group and currently General Manager with Recharge Australia,

Non-Executive Chairman

Peter Nicholson

(BEng (Mining), FINSIA, GDip (Finance and Investment))

Peter is an experienced mining executive with more than 25 years of experience.  Peter has spent 20 years in mining Private Equity, including time as Senior Advisor to Appian Capital Advisory and Managing Director Australia of Resource Capital Funds. 

Peter has also been Managing Director of Ora Banda (a publicly listed gold producer) and gained valuable technical experience in a number of operational roles including being the site manager responsible for the construction of a green-fields FIFO underground nickel operation for LionOre Australia, and Underground Manager at the Long Shaft mine for WMC Resources.

Peter has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) and Post Graduate finance qualifications from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.  He is a Member of the AusIMM, a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has previously served on more than 15 company boards.

Non-Executive Director

Phillip Bellamy

(J.P., Dip AgTech, Dip Sust)

Phil has over 30 years’ experience in natural resource management in Western Australia. He was the founding director Wheatbelt Timber which provides specialised solutions in soil science, land management, water management, forestry and carbon accounting, rehabilitation and natural systems. Phil has significant corporate experience, including Solar Sustain International which develops reverse osmosis technology. Phil is one of the founding directors of Vytas Resource.

Managing Director

David Cornell

(BComm (Acc&Fin), GDip CA)

David has 30 years’ experience in science, finance and energy metals.

David commenced his career in the Marine Science Department for the Department of Defence before pursuing a career in clean energy and energy metals.

David is the Managing Director of Vytas Limited, leading the development of on Green Hydrogen On Demand, producing Ultra High Purity Quartz for the solar industry and advancing Carbon Free Silicon for semiconductors, solar panel wafers and silicon anodes with a German auto-manufacturer.

David served on the board of Energy and Minerals Australia (ASX: EMA) which has Australia’s largest undeveloped uranium resource. Joining the board post-Fukushima, David lead the business restructure to Vimy Resources (ASX: VMY) with the company delivering a strong feasibility study and navigated the approval process to become the only permitted uranium mine in Western Australia. 

David holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Non-Executive Director

Philip Gardiner

(BSc (Ag), MBA)

Phil was a founding director of Macquarie Bank and formerly the Chair of the Sydney Futures Exchange, Barbecues Galore and the Wool Strategy Group (Ministry of Primary Industry and Fisheries). He is currently an Advisory Board Member for the Institute of Agriculture at UWA.

Politically, Phil was the Member for the Agricultural Region, Legislative Council (Nationals WA) 2009-2013.