Who we are
Our leadership team
Mark Norwell
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer
Mark was appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Perenti in September 2018. Mark has more than 25 years’ experience in the mining industry throughout Australia, New Zealand, Africa and the Americas.
Full profile
Prior to joining Perenti Mark held several executive roles with Thiess and Leighton Contractors, as well as various operational leadership positions with Henry Walker Eltin and Macmahon.
His expertise spans underground, open cut and process engineering operations across a variety of commodities including iron ore, gold, copper, diamonds, nickel and oil sands.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree (honours) from the University of Western Australia and an Executive MBA from the University of New South Wales (AGSM).
Mark’s strategy and growth expertise coupled with his operational experience have fostered a strong understanding of the success factors that drive business performance in the mining industry.
Paul Muller
Chief Corporate Services Officer
Paul has more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, working for both mining services providers and mine owners in Australia, Asia and Africa.
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Prior to joining Barminco, Paul held executive and senior leadership roles at mining and civil construction companies in Australia, Asia and Africa.
Paul is currently Chief Corporate Services Officer for Perenti. Prior to this he was the President of Perenti’s Contract Mining Division.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Harvard Business School.
Gabrielle Iwanow
President Contract Mining
As a leader, Gabrielle has become known for progressive change and growth. Working at OZ Minerals, she developed pathways to double the size of the Prominent Hill copper-gold mine, growing it into one of the largest underground hard rock operations in Australia.
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Prior to joining Perenti, Gabrielle was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASX-300 listed nickel producer, Mincor Resources, where she led the response to the on-market A$760m takeover of the company by Wyloo Metals.
In 2020, she was recognised with the Telstra Businesswomen’s Award for Medium & Large Business in South Australia and included as one of the Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.
Gabrielle is passionate about developing innovative and inclusive workplaces that evolve industry thinking. She is fluent in Spanish (and English) having lived and studied in Argentina. Gabrielle is an avid supporter of the arts and charity.
Ben Davis
Member of the Group Executive Committee
With experience spanning more than 20 years, Ben has held a number of operational, corporate and executive HR roles across Australia, North and West Africa, and North America.
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He has led multi-disciplinary and globally diverse teams in both contracting and operating companies and has a proven ability to lead across cultures. Ben’s experience includes the implementation of effective HR and HSE strategies, coaching and leadership development, and mergers and acquisitions, as well as delivering effective resourcing and diversity outcomes.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Business (Double Major, HR and Sport Management) from Edith Cowan University Western Australia and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business, Houston, Texas.
Sarah Coleman
President idoba
Sarah is an experienced mining and management consulting executive with an impressive background spanning operations, improvement, innovation, technology, and asset management.
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She has worked with a wide range of top tier organisations across industries of mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Sarah has been recognised for her excellence including being named as a WA Business News Top 40 Under 40 in 2013, a CME Most Outstanding Young Professional female finalist in 2013, AIM WA 2015 State Owner Manager of the Year and was a Women In Industry Awards finalist in 2016.
Sybrandt (Sy) Van Dyk
President Drilling Services
Sy joined Perenti in 2023 as President of the newly created Drilling Services Division following Perenti’s acquisition of DDH1 in October the same year.
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He was previously Managing Director and CEO of DDH1 Ltd, a business that included drilling brands DDH1 Drilling, Rangers Drilling, Strike Drilling and Swick Mining Services.
Sy brings more than 30 years of experience primarily within the resources sector. During his career, he has held a number of senior operational roles, including CEO and CFO of contract mining company Macmahon Holdings Ltd, COO of Western Australia and CFO of mining equipment distributor WesTrac Group. Sy’s career also spanned a number of senior positions within Kimberly-Clark in South Africa.
Sy holds a B.Com (Hons) from the University of South Africa and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Raj Ratneser
President Mining Services
Raj is a senior executive and qualified lawyer with more than 30 years’ national and international experience across legal, commercial, governance, risk and internal audit primarily in the resources, engineering and construction industries.
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Raj has served in a number of senior leadership and executive roles for a variety of businesses and his experience spans Australia, Africa, UK and North America. Raj holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law degrees from Murdoch University.
Cameron Bailey
Chief Strategy Officer
Cameron is a business and corporate development executive with more than 30 years’ experience in mining, construction and the heavy industry environment.
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His expertise includes leading strategic and business development processes and initiatives, business planning, strategic and client relationships, ‘work winning’ activities and bid preparation combined with an underlying commitment to deliver sustainable and profitable revenue growth.
Cameron has held leadership and executive roles at a number of businesses and holds a Masters in Commerce and a Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of NSW.