Full Name: John Ciganek

Position and Company Name: MD and CEO of Vanadium Resources

Main Activity of the Company: Vanadium Resources is a developer and ultimately producer of vanadium

Date and Place of Birth: April 24, 1967, Sydney, Australia

Education: Bachelor of Mining Engineering, Wollongong University, New South Wales, Australia; MBA, Macquarie Graduate School of Management, New South Wales, Australia

First Job: Underground coal miner

Career Path to Date: I spent ten years as a mining engineer and then 18 years in banking and corporate finance advisory

Value of Assets under Your Control: $1-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: Ten people

Management Style: Lead by example

Personal Best Achievement: Acting as corporate finance adviser to some of the most well-regarded mining professionals in the industry, with projects located across the globe, for more than 18 years. Through my career to date, I have been involved with successfully raising debt and equity funding in excess of A$5-billion for various clients

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My grandfather, who taught me to work hard and treat people with respect in all aspects of life. He also taught me how to play chess

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Joan Bath, my first boss as a junior mining engineer at Comalco/Rio Tinto in Weipa, North Queensland, Australia. She was Australia’s first female mine manager

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett, an investment legend

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk, for his ability to transition the globe to electric vehicles

Philosophy of Life: Work hard and deal with people honestly and fairly

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Appointment as MD and CEO of Vanadium Resources

Biggest Ever Disappointment: None, really; I am happy with my past decisions and actions

Hope For the Future: That the globe transitions completely to renewable energy and battery storage, with a view to eliminating hydrocarbon-based power

Favourite Reading: Nonfiction

Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch TV

Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood and white wine

Favourite Music: Classical guitar music

Favourite Sport: Soccer and boxing

Hobbies: Playing the classical guitar, bush walking, swimming and yoga

Car: I do not own a car

Married: To Rebel Ciganek

Children: Siena, 19