The Alchemist

Associate Director

BS, Summa Cum Laude (Corporate Finance & Accounting, St. Mary’s University of Texas), MS (Accounting, University of Notre Dame

Since 2010 Chris has advised and invested in the natural resources industry through a variety of professional services and principal investment roles. These experiences provided numerous opportunities to move companies forward.Prior to joining RFC Ambrian in 2018 , Chris was a Senior Associate with Cadent Energy Partners, a US-based Private Equity fund focused on energy services and industrial technologies. Working hand in hand with portfolio company management teams, Chris helped manage operational and financial analyses including international supply chains, new product and capital investment analyses, market research and transaction support. Additionally, Chris managed the quarterly valuation and investor reporting processes. 

Launching his career with EY in Houston, Texas Chris worked in both Assurance and Transaction Advisory Services while qualifying as a CPA in Texas.

Executive Director, Defence & National Security, Synergy Group

DSC and Bar, AM, OBE

John is a proven transformational leader who is experienced in high threat environments and emerging risks within the National Security environment. He has successfully transitioned into the private sector identifying significant new markets. Key to this is the ability to develop focused and diverse teams operating in challenging and unfamiliar environments necessitating dynamic and often unconventional approaches and thinking. Significant experience in leadership on operations, change management, strategy & planning, human resources management, training, education and marketing, specially the management and integration of change. A proven track record in partnership development from the strategic to the tactical level – internationally, regionally and domestically. 

John has been awarded a number of distinctions in his career, including an “innovation solutions” in Australia’s Public Sector Innovation Awards for a project he led to equip Afghan security forces with anti-mine radio jamming equipment. 

Commercial Advisor, CSIRO Mineral Resources

BSc Hon (Phys/Math) (UNSW), PhD (Phys) (UNSW) 

Nick commenced his career as a research scientist with CSIRO, where he developed and commercialised novel on-line analysis measurement systems for the coal, power and oil industries. He was a co-recipient of the 1992 Australia Prize in recognition of his commercialisation of technology with global impact. In the past 20 years he has held senior management roles in CSIRO, where he led the development of technology platforms that have been instrumental in the founding of four spin off companies delivering technology solutions to the mining and security industries. His passion is the translation of breakthrough science for industry impact. 

Dr Cutmore has received significant awards for his efforts in the commercialisation of science including the Australia Prize, the CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement, the Eureka Prize in Support of Defence and National Security, and he is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Technology and Engineering. 

Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Richard serves as Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) at NREL, an externally focused division leveraging the laboratory’s resources in support of the clean tech mission as well as the Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Economic Development (CREED). The IEC administers two multi-million dollar technology incubation programs (IN2 and GCxN), which Richard has been instrumental in establishing, and a variety of programs and external relationships serving the NREL mission. 

Richard is passionate about sustainable technologies, startups, and early stage growth companies and seeks to promote the NREL’s successful technology incubation model with capable organisations globally. As a leading expert on technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship and investment he is regularly invited to speak at international and US events and will bring a wealth of experience and important connections to the Fund. 

Executive Chairman

BE (Mech) (UWA), BE Hons (Ag) (Melb), MBA (AGSM)

Rob began his career working on deep level South African mines for Anglo American. He has been involved in numerous transactions in the mining, oil and gas, and related industry sectors and has extensive knowledge of the resources sector. He has also led numerous company-wide asset reviews, and has provided strategic advice to CEOs and boards.

Having worked in multiple jurisdictions including Australia, Africa, South America, USA, Canada and Asia, he has an extensive global network of friends and contacts in the resources sector.

Rob is the lead relationship manager with CSIRO, having nurtured the strategic partnership beginning with RFC Ambrian’s commercialisation support for the PhotonAssay© technology of Chrysos.

Rob also serves as Chairman of Chrysos, NextOre and Conveyor Manufacturers Australia and is passionate about supporting Australia’s emerging technologies in heavy industries.