PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Atlas Iron founder David Flanagan has stepped back from his role as MD, handing over the position to COO Ken Brinsden in a management reshuffle.

Flanagan is initially taking up the role of executive chairperson, which means he will retain the day-to-day role of overseeing the iron-ore miner’s growth for six months, with particular emphasis on strategic planning and corporate issues.

By the end of August, as part of the hand-over of the MD duties to Brinsden, Flanagan would become nonexecutive chairperson of the board.

Last year, iron-ore rival Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest also stepped back from the CEO’s role at his company to become chairperson.

The Atlas board changes formed part of the miner’s preparations for exponential growth, with iron-ore production forecast to increase from the current six-million tons a year to 46-million tons a year by 2017.

Flanagan said that the restructure reflected the evolving and maturing nature of the company’s business as it continued its growth from its share market float in 2004.

“Atlas’ success has always been the result of a team effort. The talented and committed Atlas management team is perfectly placed to capitalise on the company’s strength and deliver the strategy they developed,” he said.

He noted that the promotion of Brinsden reflected the board’s strong confidence in his capability to lead a company and deliver the growth and rapid transition under way at Atlas.

Brinsden has previously overseen the development of Atlas’ Wodgina and Pardoo mines, and has played a key role in the company’s strategy to secure high-value port capacity at Port Hedland.

Meanwhile, Atlas has also appointed Kerry Sanderson as an independent nonexecutive director.

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