Emeco brings in mining veteran Ian Macliver as new independent chair

Emeco has tapped well-regarded mining veteran Ian Macliver to be the next independent chair of the mining services and rental group.

Mr Macliver had been chair of marine services group MMA Offshore until its $1.1 billion sale to Cyan Renewables in July and is currently a non-executive director of Sheffield Resources and an alternate director of Wright Prospecting.

He has previous sat on the boards of Western Areas, Otto Energy and Mount Gibson Iron.

Emeco said on Monday that Mr MacIliver would bring a wealth of experience to the board, covering all areas of corporate activity including acquisitions, divestments, takeovers, business and strategic planning, debt and equity structuring, operating projects and financial reviews and valuations.

The change comes amid a push for more independent voices around Emeco’s boardroom and rumblings from some quarters of the group’s share register that previous chair Peter Richards had stayed too long.

Mr Richards — who retired from the board in May after 14 years on the board, including more than eight as chair — was forced to defend his long tenure at last year’s annual general meeting.

At the time, he said that whereas “some guidelines” suggested that his tenure “jeopardises independence”, he believed that it had “deepened my knowledge of the company and its importance to the Australian mining industry”.

Interim chair Peter Frank said Mr Macliver’s appointment was part of the board’s strategy to bring in additional independent directors.

Mr Macliver will take up the role on December 1.

“I am looking forward to joining the board of Emeco at a pivotal time for the business as it executes on its revised and simplified business structure,” he said.

”I look forward to working closely with the current board members and management on the company’s strategy moving forward.”

Emeco also announced that after serving four years as an independent director, Peter Kane will not seek re-election at the annual general meeting on November 20.