Jeremy Wrathall, Executive Chairman; Jamie Airnes, Chief Executive Officer

• Cornish Lithium bolsters the skills of its senior team with the appointment of Jamie Airnes as new CEO.
• Founder Jeremy Wrathall elevated to Executive Chairman to oversee strategy and future development.
• Peter Morse is appointed as General Manager to Trelavour and Martin Geissler to Geothermal, as Cornish Lithium prepares to accelerate commercial production of lithium in the UK.

Cornish Lithium has today announced the appointment of energy sector leader Jamie Airnes as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as the business moves at pace from research and development towards full-scale operations.

The appointment marks an exciting investment in the operational experience of the company’s senior leadership team as Cornish Lithium prepares to expand its operations, raise additional funding, and recruit the hundreds of employees necessary to bring the Trelavour Hard Rock Project into commercial production.

Jamie Airnes brings over 25 years of unrivalled experience to Cornish Lithium, with a proven track record in successful project delivery and business growth. His extensive UK and international experience with both large corporations and start-ups, alongside his in-depth knowledge of the extractives industry, makes him an invaluable asset as Cornish Lithium continues to hit milestones and gear up the permitting process following the designation of Trelavour as a Nationally Significant Project (NSIP).

Across the oil, gas and wider energy sectors, Jamie has consistently demonstrated an ability to both harness organisational potential and monetise businesses effectively. From helping to grow oil and gas business Ithaca Energy from a micro-cap listed company into one of the UK’s largest independent businesses in the sector to multiplying revenues at engineering support firm Chris Dykes International and energy technology developer Hydrovolve, Jamie has a proven track record in the growth and the successful commercialisation of energy businesses at pace.

The appointment of Jamie Airnes as CEO will see founder and current CEO, Jeremy Wrathall, transition to the role of Executive Chairman where he will remain firmly at the helm of the business, responsible for company strategy and business development given the growth opportunities that lie ahead.

(Left to right) Varshan Gokool, Chief Financial Officer; Jeremy Wrathall, Executive Chairman; Jamie Airnes, Chief Executive Officer; and Pat Forward, Chief Operating Officer

Commenting on the appointment, Executive Chairman Jeremy Wrathall stated: 
“I am delighted to welcome Jamie Airnes to the team, helping us to deliver on our vision for maximum growth and augmenting our strategic focus on unlocking the potential for lithium extraction from geothermal brines beneath our feet here in Cornwall. Jamie will further strengthen our existing executive team of myself, Chief Financial Officer Varshan Gokool and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Forward, enabling us to grow and accelerate the development of a domestic supply of lithium and other critical metals for the UK.

“This appointment is a pivotal moment for the business given the growing importance of domestic critical mineral supplies across the globe. I am proud to have overseen Cornish Lithium’s growth from a start-up in 2016 to a nationally-recognised leader in critical mineral extraction. I believe that the UK can extract and deliver 50,000 tonnes of domestic lithium for UK industry, and Cornish Lithium will continue to be the industry leader in helping achieve this goal. There is so much still to do.”  

Commenting on his new appointment, Jamie Airnes stated: 
“I am excited to join Cornish Lithium at such an important moment in the company's journey. My focus will be on driving the growth of our operations and enhancing our strategy to develop the lithium from our extraction portfolio across Cornwall in a responsible manner. I look forward to working closely with regulators, local communities and all our stakeholders to ensure continued, sustainable development.”

The Cornish Lithium Board, along with representatives from major funding groups including The National Wealth Fund, TechMet, and the Energy & Minerals Group (EMG), have welcomed Jamie Airnes to the company.

Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of Nomination Committee, Janet Blas, stated: 
“The Board is pleased to welcome Jamie Airnes to Cornish Lithium. Jamie brings an undisputed ability to manage large projects with complex regulatory and stakeholder environments, and deliver at speed. His leadership will be integral to Cornish Lithium’s growth plans, delivering for stakeholders, locally and nationally.”

Cornish Lithium also announces the recent appointment of Peter Morse as the General Manager for the Trelavour Hard Rock Project, bringing over 30 years of international experience in leading mining and mineral extraction operations and engineering teams.

Martin Geissler has also recently joined the company as the General Manager for the Lithium in Geothermal Waters (LiGW) arm of the business. With his extensive experience in developing geothermal energy projects in Europe, Martin joins the company to support its ambition of providing carbon-free heat using innovative techniques, alongside lithium extraction in Cornwall.

These appointments mark an exciting milestone for Cornish Lithium as it grows into an end-to-end lithium exploration and production company, and continues to lead and innovate in the field of critical mineral extraction. This endeavour is increasingly crucial given the rising importance of domestic critical minerals on the global stage. 

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