Liontown Resources has announced a major executive reshuffle, with chief financial officer (CFO) Jon Latto and chief operating officer (COO) Adam Smits stepping down from their roles.
The company confirmed that Latto will depart on July 14, after a tenure that began in 2022 and spanned a critical period of capital investment, market fluctuation, and project delivery.
“Jon has been instrumental in securing critical funding and developing the financial frameworks that supported our transition from developer to producer,” Liontown managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Tony Ottaviano said.
“I am very grateful for the experience, rigour and discipline Jon has brought to the role and the finance function at Liontown.”
Liontown’s current head of finance Graeme Pettit will assume the role of interim CFO while the company conducts a formal search for a permanent successor.
With more than a decade of finance leadership in mining, Pettit is a chartered accountant and has been part of Liontown’s senior team since 2022.
Long-time COO Adam Smits, who has been with Liontown since its early stages, will step down at the end of August.
Smits was instrumental in the development and ramp-up of the Kathleen Valley lithium operation in Western Australia.
“To have taken the asset from identification to operations in just over six years and then a successful ramp-up is a fabulous achievement,” Ottaviano said. “An engineer’s engineer! You have left an indelible mark on the fabric of Liontown.”
Current Covalent Lithium CEO Ryan Hair will take the reign as Liontown COO on August 11, with Smits to remain at Liontown till the end of August to support the transition.
“I am excited to join Liontown and contribute to the future direction of the company,” Hair said.
“I strongly believe in a sustainable future supported by lithium mining in Western Australia, and I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Kathleen Valley operations, ensuring that the world-class, long-life asset developed by the Liontown team continues to deliver safely, efficiently and reliably.”
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