Vivienne Gayton Executive General Manager HR

Viv joined the Mastermyne team in 2010 after holding management roles in a variety of organisations. As the Executive General Manager- Human Resources, Viv is responsible for all aspects of the company’s ‘people’ division including human resource (HR) consulting, organisational development, industrial relations  governance and HR strategy.

Embedding the HR function into operations, ensuring HR processes are flexible and practical, developing others and having an inclination to make by exception decisions based on what’s right and fair for an individual, Viv’s approach is well aligned to the Mastermyne Way.

Viv is a mad cook, holds an embarrassing fondness of disco music and an unattained goal of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.

Viv holds under and post graduate qualifications Human Resources, Risk Management, Industrial Relations and an MBA from Deakin University.

David Sykes Executive General Manager Strategy and Growth

David began his career in the UK performing various operational and statutory roles including Deputy and Undermanager. After relocating to Australia in the mid 90’s he obtained his 1st and 2nd Class Managers Certificate in NSW and 1st Class Managers Certificate and SSE in Queensland.  He’s worked across a number of underground coal operations including Moranbah North, Dartbrook and Central Colliery in roles including Mine Manager and SSE/General Manager.

Immediately prior to joining Mastermyne in 2012, David worked as the Mining Operations Manager with Leighton Mining, having responsibility for two surface coal operations and underground coal interests.

Over the years David has performed various roles with Mastermyne including Executive GM Mining, Executive GM Strategy & Growth and is often appointed as the acting CEO (in Tony Caruso’s absence).

Always keen on a personal challenge, during his time at Mastermyne David learnt how to swim, began triathlon training and 4 short years later, competed (and completed) the guiling world title event at Kona, Hawaii.

David holds a Diploma in Mining and Mechanical Engineering; he is a registered Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Australian Mine Managers Association and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Brett Maff Chief Financial Officer

Brett has over 20 years experience in senior financial and executive roles in the mining resources and mining services industries. He possesses an extensive range of financial, commercial and operational management capabilities, and has significant experience leading transactions, mergers, investments and debt/equity raising activities.  In addition, Brett has significant knowledge of coal mining operations (underground and open cut), having worked on various mine sites during construction and operations throughout his career.

Brett joined Mastermyne in 2018, and is responsible for the overall finance and reporting functions, in addition to the information technology and the company secretarial requirements.

Brett is a keen hockey player, and can be regularly seen carrying his hockey sticks on his travels. He currently is a member of the Australian Masters Hockey team and recently competed at the Masters World Cup in Spain.

Brett is a qualified Accountant and holds a CPA designation.

Patrick McCoy Executive General Manager Mining QLD

Patrick has been with the Group since December 2014 and has been working in the industry for over 20 years with experience in both open cut and underground coal operations.

A fitter by trade Patrick has worked for major mining companies including BMA and Anglo and on mining projects with contract service providers across QLD and NSW and has held senior management roles with several contract service providers in the Underground Coal Sector.

Patrick’s favourite thing to do on his time away from work is to go camping and fishing with family and friends and is in his own words just about the worst fishermen in the world but that doesn’t stop him from trying to land the big one.

Wayne Price Executive General Manager Mining NSW

Wayne has 30 years’ experience within the Underground Mining Industry. Throughout Wayne’s career he has held various senior management roles including Executive General Manager, Director, Mining Consultant and General Manager.

Wayne’s area of expertise includes the implementation of leading strata management practices, implementation and management of material risk controls and reviewing mining performance & improvement opportunities.

Wayne is a mad mountain bike rider, having completed in numerous 24 hour team races and other events. In recent years he has been riding in a 7 day event to raise money for the Westpac Helicopter, with the intention of doing many more.

Colin Bloomfield Non Executive Chairman

Colin brings to the Company over 30 years of mining experience in technical, operations, management and corporate roles. He is also an experienced Company Director having been in various Directorships for almost twenty years. Colin’s former roles during his 27 years with BHP Billiton include President Illawarra Coal (8 years), Vice President Health, Safety and Environment (Global role) and Project Director for the BHP Billiton merger integration as well as member of the deal team for the transaction. He was also an Underground Coal Mine Manager both in New South Wales and Queensland.

Currently Col is Chairman of the Flagstaff Group and Destination Wollongong and a Director at Illawarra Credit Union and Wollongong Golf Club. He has previously been a Director at the Minerals Council of Australia and Chairman of the NSW Minerals Council and Port Kembla Coal Terminal.

Andrew Watts Non Executive Director

Andrew co-founded Mastermyne in 1996 and has been involved in contracting within the mining industry since 1994.

From 1996 -2005 Andrew was responsible for all aspects of Mastermyne’s operations until the appointment of Tony Caruso as CEO.

Gabriel Meena Non Executive Director

Gabe is an executive with over 30 years experience in the steel, mining and stevedoring industry covering operations, maintenance and engineering. Gabe has held senior operational and management roles with Bluescope Steel as General Manager Mills and Coating, Bluescope Steel China as President China Coated and BHP Collieries as General Manager of a number of coal mines. Gabe’s most recent role was General Manager Operations with Patrick Terminals.

Gabe has a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Julie Whitcombe Non Executive Director

Julie brings over 16 years of experience across financial, strategic and operational roles, with a focus throughout her career on the resources sector. Julie is currently Chief Operations Officer for Vermeer Australia and RDO Equipment, supplying and servicing John Deere and Vermeer equipment in support of a range of industry sectors in Australia.
Prior to her current role, Julie spent nine years as part of the executive team of Senex Energy Limited, an ASX-listed oil and gas company. Her roles during her time with Senex included Executive General Manager Queensland Assets (with responsibility for the operation and development of the company’s coal seam gas acreage in Queensland), Executive General Manager Strategic Planning, and CFO.
Julie holds a first-class honours degree in Mining Engineering as well as a CA qualification gained during seven years with global professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in the UK and Australia.
Julie’s broad background allows her to bring a unique combination of experience in financial accounting and equity markets and a focus on business-led strategy and growth.