JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim-listed exploration company African Potash has appointed Mark Simmonds as director, effective November 10.
“Simmonds has significant experience working in Africa and brings with him a wealth of business and political contacts, which will support African Potash in the roll-out of its integrated fertiliser operations in Africa,” the company said in a statement.
Simmonds was a Conservative Party politician in the UK and served as the MP for Boston and Skegness, in Lincolnshire, from 2001 to 2015.
Most recently, he held the position of Foreign and Commonwealth Minister for Africa.
“As such, he has a deep knowledge of the business and political landscape across the continent. During his parliamentary career, Simmonds also held a number of shadow ministerial roles, including for health, international development, foreign and commonwealth affairs and education,” African Potash noted.
Simmonds was also nonexecutive deputy chairperson of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, which focused on promoting trade and investment by facilitating engagement between government and the private sector throughout the Commonwealth.
"We are delighted to welcome Simmonds to the board. His significant political experience, particularly within Africa, will be invaluable as we continue to roll out our integrated fertiliser operations, finalising the current agreements we have in place and negotiating future contracts,” African Potash chairperson Chris Cleverly said.