Paul Hemburrow will take over as Paladin Energy’s new Managing Director and CEO, effective September 1, 2025.
Hemburrow, who has been Paladin Energy’s chief operating officer since 2023, takes over from Ian Purdy.
Paladin Energy is an independent uranium producer with a 75% ownership stake in the Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM), located in Namibia.
The company also owns a portfolio of uranium exploration and development assets in the premier mining jurisdictions of Canada and Australia.
He will also join the Board, which will be expanded in the future with a Canadian resident director.
Paladin Energy says Hemburrow’s appointment results from a planned and rigorous succession process involving global executive search specialists.
According to the company, Purdy has provided support for the process and will remain available to assist the Board and executive team until the end of his notice period in mid-December.
Paladin chair Cliff Lawrenson said the Board is pleased to appoint Hemburrow as the standout executive in the sector, who has the leadership attributes, technical skills, and uranium knowledge to capitalise on the opportunities that Paladin has within its global asset portfolio.
Hemburrow is a highly experienced resources executive with 30 years of operational and management experience in a range of senior executive roles within the sector, including several commodities and the leadership of mining, processing, port, and rail businesses in complex operating environments and multiple jurisdictions.
He spent 17 years with Rio Tinto, where he held several positions, including Manager of Port Operations and General Manager (GM) of New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Limited.
After that, he worked for BHP for almost eight years, serving as General Manager of Transformation, General Manager of the Blackwater Mine, General Manager of the Yandi Mine, and, lastly, as General Manager of Area C.
Most recently, he was the GM of Aurizon’s Central Queensland Coal Network.
