AR3’s Board and Management team has significant expertise and experience in the rare earths, uranium and mining exploration industries.
The Board
Angus Barker
Chairman
B.Com (Hons), University of Melbourne
M.Phil, University of Cambridge
Graduate
Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors
With over 30 years of professional experience, Angus Barker brings a wealth of expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and strategic advisory. He held senior executive roles at top-tier global investment banks across Australia, the United Kingdom, and Asia, including 12 years based in Hong Kong, and has advised boards and CEOs on strategic mergers and acquisitions, as well as complex capital markets transactions. Angus’s deep industry knowledge spans the natural resources, financial services, infrastructure, and technology sectors, where he has guided boards and executives through complex financial decisions.
In addition to his corporate advisory roles, Angus served in senior positions advising Australian Government Ministers in key economic portfolios, shaping policies related to superannuation, financial services, the digital economy, trade, and foreign investment. He holds a Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Pauline Carr
Independent Non-Executive Director
BEc, Australian National University
MBA, University of Adelaide
Fellow of Australian Institute of Company Directors
Fellow of Governance Institute of Australia
Pauline Carr is a highly experienced executive with extensive commercial, management, compliance, and governance expertise as well as over 30 years directorial experience in the resources industry with both Australian and international listed companies. Pauline has extensive board and committee experience, specifically audit and risk and remuneration committees. Ms Carr is a Non-Executive Director of Highfield Resources Limited (ASX:HFR)
Travis Beinke
Managing Director
B.Com, University of Adelaide
CPA
Travis Beinke is a highly experienced executive with more than 20 years’ experience in the resources sector with both Australian and international listed companies. Travis has a broad range of strategic, commercial, finance and business development skills, particularly in exploration and growth projects. Travis has spent the last 5 years with OZ Minerals, initially holding the role of Group Manager Commercial, prior to leading the company’s engagement with equity markets.Â
The Management team
Noel Whitcher
Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
B.Com, University of South Australia
G.Cert HRM, RMIT
MBA, Australian Institute of Management
Noel Whitcher is an experienced Company Secretary, CFO and Chartered Accountant, with more than 18 years’ experience in finance and accounting across government and commercial industries, with the past 10 years in the mining and energy sector. Noel has served as CFO services to ASX listed exploration companies for over 5 years and has considerable experience in advising on capital market strategies including debt and equity financing options through traditional and structured financing options.
Rick Pobjoy
Chief Technical Officer
BSc. Applied Geology RMIT
Rick Pobjoy is a Geologist with more 25 years’ experience in the mining and minerals exploration industry. Rick has extensive experience in the definition, development, and production from sedimentary hosted deposits across a number of commodities, having successfully delivered projects for VHM Exploration, Murray Zircon and Heathgate Resources.
Jacqui Owen
Manager Community and Land
BA Hons Environmental Studies
Jacqui Owen is an experienced professional with a background in stakeholder engagement, and environmental and regulatory compliance. These skills have been developed over the last 16 years working in oil and gas exploration and development across Australia. The commitment to positive regional development is a priority for Australian Rare Earths and Jacqui is the key contact for community engagement and negotiating land access. Jacqui lives in the Naracoorte region so is deeply connected to the community and personally invested in driving a positive outcome for the region. She currently serves as the Vice President for the Limestone Coast Ladies CWA and sits on the board of the not-for-profit Limestone Coast Training Centre.
Chris Cockburn
Exploration Manager
BSc. (Hons) Geology University of Manitoba, Canada
Chris Cockburn is an experienced mineral explorer with 18 years’ experience exploring for a broad range of commodities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Chris has experience in target generation, project evaluation, and resource delineation across a variety of commodities delivering exploration programs and resources for Xstrata, Iluka Resources, and multiple ASX/TSX listed explorers.