News
15 May 2020

Cobalt Institute announces leadership changes

Thursday 14 May 2020, following significant internal organization changes intended to support the Cobalt Institute’s (CI) mission and vision of becoming the proactive voice of the cobalt value chain globally, its new formed Executive Committee unanimously elected David Brocas of Glencore as its Chair and Tina Litzinger of Sherritt International as Vice-Chair. Both were elected for a two-year period.

Following his election Mr Brocas commented: ‘I am honored that my fellow members have placed their confidence in me to lead the CI in the next phase of its development. It is an exciting time for the cobalt industry. The Executive Committee and myself will endeavour to ensure the CI remains at the forefront of the debate that continues to shape the industry –supply chain transparency and responsible sourcing. Mr Brocas added: ‘I would like to pay tribute to the work undertaken by my predecessor, Guy Ethier of Umicore, and look forward to continue to partner with him.’. Ms Litzinger noted that: ‘In the coming years we will see significantly increased demand for cobalt and cobalt compounds which will lead to greater than ever scrutiny on the industry, the CI will play a crucial role in ensuring the continuing sustainable production and consumption of cobalt’.

At the Executive Committee meeting, it was also announced that David Weight will be retiring as President on the Cobalt Institute at the end of June 2020. The membership appointed Adam McCarthy to replace Mr Weight as President on 1 July 2020. Mr Weight will continue as an Advisor to the new President and Committee until 2021.

Dr McCarthy said: ‘I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with the Institute, its members and fantastic team. We have made great strides over the past 18 months in furthering the CI’s vision and mission and I look forward to taking the next steps’. He continued: ‘David has done a wonderful job as President and it will be a challenge to fill his shoes but with him staying on to advise us, we should ensure continuity’. Dr McCarthy will be based in Belgium where he will continue to lead the CI’s Government & Public Affairs activities.

David Brocas is currently heading the Cobalt Marketing and Trading activities of Glencore, based in Baar, Switzerland. He joined Glencore in 2013 where he has been trading cobalt and molybdenum products. He is a member of the LME Cobalt Committee. Prior to joining Glencore, he worked for 6 years in the trading division of BP in London, where he gained exposure to Gas, LNG and Oil products in various operational, commercial and analytical roles. He holds a Master’s degree from French engineering school “Ecole des Mines” Nancy, France where he studied Geology as well as a Master’s degree Energy and Markets from IFP School, Paris, France.

Tina Litzinger is Vice President of Marketing for Sherritt International Corporation and based in Toronto, Ontario; she is responsible for global marketing and sales of finished nickel, cobalt and fertilizer by-products produced by Sherritt and its joint venture partner. Ms. Litzinger currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Nickel Institute and is a member of the London Metal Exchange Cobalt committee.She is also a member of Women in Mining Canada, as well as the Institute of Corporate Directors. Ms. Litzinger has been active in the cobalt industry for more than 20 years with significant experience in executive level roles and industry associations. With more than 15 years of direct customer sales focus, Ms. Litzinger has forged strong relationships around the world and across several industries with metal traders and producers, stainless steel producers, automotive producers, and battery and battery chemical manufacturers. Her 24 years in the mining industry has also included experience in logistics, quality management, audit and communications functions as well as implementing best practices and providing oversight for product stewardship and responsible sourcing activities. She is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University (B.A.) and the Schulich School of Business (Project Management).

Adam McCarthy is currently Vice President of Government and Public Affairs with the Cobalt Institute and is responsible for its advocacy and communications activities. Prior to joining the CI he worked with the Albemarle Corporation (a CI Member) in its Government Affairs department. He has spent his career in public policy and has worked in a variety of role in the private and public sectors. He holds a PhD in Comparative European Politics from the University of Manchester (UK) and is a Belgian/British national.

The Cobalt Institute (CI) is a non-profit trade association composed of producers, users, recyclers, and traders of cobalt. It promotes the sustainable and responsible production and use of cobalt in all its forms and acts as a knowledge centre for governments, agencies, industry, the media and the public on all matters concerning cobalt, an essential element to achieve energy transition.

Find out more: www.cobaltinstitute.org

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