PLS boss Dale Henderson says the appointment of Alex Willcocks as the company’s new chief financial officer has come at an ideal time.
PLS boss Dale Henderson says the appointment of Alex Willcocks as the company’s new chief financial officer has come at an ideal time.
The Pilgangoora operator announced on Monday that Ms Willcocks’ appointment is effective from May 25 next year, with Flavio Garofolo remaining as interim CFO until then.
Mr Henderson said Ms Willcocks – who most recently served as CFO of Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers – would aid its push in becoming a long-term, global, lithium-focused business.
“Alex joins us at an important time as we continue our evolution into a global, multi-asset and increasingly integrated lithium business, with operating, development and partnership interests across Australia, Brazil and South Korea,” Mr Henderson said.
“Her experience leading complex organisations, delivering major growth programs and supporting a mature balance sheet will be instrumental as we continue building a leading lithium business for the long term and move into the next chapter of PLS’s development.”
Aside from her tenure as CFO of WesCEF, Ms Willcock – who has more than 10 years of experience in advanced financial management roles – also held a series of other positions within Wesfarmers Group.
This included general manager of investor relations and planning, executive general manager of the group’s accounting and assurance portfolio, along with being CFO of major chain Kmart.
Ms Willcocks also has some background in lithium by way of being involved with Covalent Lithium, a joint venture between WesCEF and Chile-based SQM.
During FY25, PLS posted an underlying net loss after tax of $88 million, down from a net profit of $347 million during the prior corresponding period, along with a statutory net loss of $196 million, down from a statutory net profit of $257 million.
This was the company’s first full-year loss since 2021 and stemmed from less than desirable lithium prices – which also resulted in revenue falling by 39 per cent in FY25 to $769 million.
During its September quarter, PLS generated $251 million revenue, along with producing 224,800 tonnes of spodumene concentrate.
Both were welcomed by the company, which also mentioned that market conditions and supply chain uncertainty had the potential to impact its downstream operation aspirations in South Korea.
Last week, PLS also avoided receiving a first strike in relation to its remuneration report, despite 16 per cent of cast votes against it.
PLS closed trade on Monday down 3 per cent to $3.92.
