I’m a global CEO, board advisor, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience leading complex organisations across mining, commodities, supply chain, finance, business improvement, and digital transformation. I began my journey as a plant accountant, learning the foundations of operations, finance, and people management. Over three decades, I progressed through the ranks—Cost Accountant, Finance Manager, Global Manager, Acting Managing Director, and ultimately Managing Director of a flagship mine in West Africa—shaping my ability to lead in complex, high-stakes environments during extremely difficult times, including terrorism, Ebola, malaria, and COVID-19.

Throughout my career, I have overseen teams of up to 5,000 people and operations impacting more than 100,000 citizens, delivering results that set industry benchmarks. I have achieved USD 90 million in operational recovery, USD 170 million in cost savings, and reduced all-in sustaining costs from USD 1,700/oz to USD 900/oz, while securing multi-year national mining contracts, negotiating multi-million-dollar asset sales, and leading capital expansion projects exceeding USD 2 billion.

During the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, I led a mine to maintain zero stoppages or fatalities while achieving operational excellence. For the first time in the mine’s 21-year history, out of 12 participating mining companies, the operation was awarded Mining Company of the Year by the Chamber of Mines, reflecting resilience, ESG alignment, and sustainable impact. My commitment to digital innovation also led to the creation of the Digital Readiness Toolkit for African Mines™, enabling AI, IoT, and ERP adoption across multiple operations, reducing downtime by 28 per cent and improving efficiency by 40 per cent.

Mentorship and leadership development have been central to my journey. Over these 30 years, I have coached and guided emerging leaders, women in mining, expatriates, and national executives, embedding succession planning, local content development, and ESG-conscious leadership into every initiative. I have also supported youth, local contractors, and communities through mine transitions, closures, and operational change, ensuring every success includes sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term community impact.

In 2025, I founded Sanodea Group, a Pan-African and GCC-focused transformation group. The organisation spans six divisions: Advisory, delivering strategy, investment facilitation, executive consulting, and leadership development; Innovations, focusing on AI, smart infrastructure, digital ecosystems, and start-up acceleration; Commerce, providing e-commerce platforms, digital marketplaces, and MSME enablement; Resources, advancing responsible mining, commodities, and critical minerals under ESG frameworks; Life, driving health, wellness, AgriTech, food security, and preventative care models; and Legacy, preserving cultural heritage, family trusts, diaspora engagement, and generational wealth. Through these divisions, Sanodea Group advances strategy, technology, ESG, and digital education.

Today, I advise governments, boards, and investors, shaping operations, governance, and digital ecosystems across the mining sector and beyond.

Rooted in legacy. Driven by innovation. Built for global impact.

Sanodea Group – Founder / Group Executive Chairman