Our Company

Diane Smith-Gander AO

Chair and Independent Non-Executive Director

Diane has extensive Australian and international experience in banking and finance, technology, and strategic and management consulting. Prior to becoming a full-time company director in 2009, Diane enjoyed a successful executive career with Westpac Banking Corporation, primarily in banking operations, technology solutions and change management roles, and as a Partner with McKinsey & Company. Diane is also the Chair of Zip Co Limited (ASX:ZIP), the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and HBF Health Limited as well as a Non-Executive Director of AGL Energy Limited (ASX:AGL) and Keystart Home Loans Group. Diane is an Adjunct Professor in Corporate Governance at The University of Western Australia and Chair of The University of Western Australia Business School Advisory Board.

Alan Broome AM

Non-Executive Director

Alan has more than 40 years’ experience in the metals, mining and energy industries, accumulated through involvement with mining technology companies, government agencies and major international mining companies in promoting Australian mining and developing global trade. Alan is Chairperson of New Age Exploration Ltd (ASX: NAE), Strategic Minerals plc (AIM:SML), Mustang Energy plc (LSE:MUST), and Critical Minerals Group. He is also a Chairperson and/or Non-Executive Director of several Australian mining technology companies including Micromine Pty Ltd, UON Pty Ltd, Interlate Pty Ltd, Tait Asia Pacific Pty Ltd and Nuenz NZ Ltd. Alan is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors New Zealand (IoD).

Sy Van Dyk

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Sy joined DDH1 as CEO in October 2018 and was appointed Managing Director in February 2021. Since joining DDH1, Sy has been instrumental in the Company’s development and listing on the ASX. Sy has more than 30 years’ experience primarily within the resources sector and has held a number of senior operational roles, including as CEO and, prior to that, CFO of Macmahon Holdings (ASX:MAH) and COO 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 is a Non-Executive Director of Austin Engineering (ASX:ANG).

Andrea Sutton

Independent Non-Executive Director

Andrea has more than 20 years’ operational, technical and corporate experience within the mining and minerals industry. Her prior roles included Managing Director and Chief Executive of Energy Resources of Australia and senior roles within Rio Tinto including Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Security and Managing Director with the Support Strategy Review team. Andrea is a board member of Infrastructure WA and ANSTO, a Non-Executive Director of Red 5 Limited (ASX:RED) and Iluka Resources Limited (ASX:ILU), a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Engineers Australia, the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Chief Executive Women (CEW).

Murray Pollock

Non-Executive Director

Murray is a co-founder of DDH1 and has been instrumental in the establishment and development of the Company. Murray has more than 50 years’ experience within the mineral drilling sector. He is a pioneer of multiple-intersection directional drilling and has introduced many of the engineered safety solutions that are now standard on multi-purpose drill rigs throughout Australia. Murray helped form Corewell in 1979, which was listed on the ASX in 1987 with 10 rigs. Murray also formed Western Deephole in 1990 before selling to Drillcorp in 1997. He was a board member of Catalpa Mining until the company’s merger with Conquest Gold to form Evolution Mining. Murray is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Byron Beath

Non-Executive Director

Byron is a Managing Director of Oaktree Capital Management and serves as a director of Oaktree Capital Australia Pty Ltd. Byron leads Oaktree’s activities in Australia, which has included investments in a variety of sectors including resources, funds management, power and utilities, finance and wholesale distribution. Prior to joining Oaktree, Byron spent 15 years with Macquarie Group Limited where he was a division director in the Corporate and Asset Finance division. Byron currently serves as a director of the following Oaktree portfolio companies: Oaktree Capital Australia Pty Ltd, Argyle Capital Partners, Marlin Brands, January Capital and Fortitude Investment Partners. Byron completed a Bachelor of Commerce and is a CPA.

Sy Van Dyk

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Sy joined DDH1 as CEO in October 2018 and was appointed Managing Director in February 2021. Since joining DDH1, Sy has been instrumental in the Company’s development and listing on the ASX. Sy has more than 30 years’ experience primarily within the resources sector and has held a number of senior operational roles, including as CEO and, prior to that, CFO of Macmahon Holdings (ASX:MAH) and COO 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 is a Non-Executive Director of Austin Engineering (ASX:ANG).

Ben Mackinnon

Chief Financial Officer

Ben brings to DDH1 a strong ability to drive systems, process and accounting excellence across the Company while delivering operational and analytical insights to the senior leadership team. Ben has 15 years’ finance experience in the construction and mining services industries. He was previously CFO of Force Equipment (acquired by Emeco) and Gavin Construction. Ben commenced his career at EY Perth, after graduating from the University of Western Australia, and has been a Chartered Accountant since 2005.

Andrew Venn

Executive General Manager Corporate Services

Andrew has more than 20 years’ experience across the mining industry, bringing in-depth operational knowledge, customer relationships and corporate support critical to the business. Since joining DDH1 in 2013 he has held positions as Commercial Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Andrew previously held senior positions across financing and operations for Argonaut, Orica Mining Services and ICI Explosives.

Peter Crennan

General Manager of DDH1 Drilling West Coast Operations

Peter is responsible for all of DDH1’s West Coast operations and is based out of Perth. Peter commenced with DDH1 in 2011 and has pursued a career in the growth of the company. Peter has a technical skillset which include directional drilling, complex mine service holes and executing remote exploration drilling programs. Peter has a passion for watching growth of employees coming to the company and being guided to the same career pathway he was shown by DDH1 founders.

Russell Chard

General Manager of DDH1 Drilling East Coast Operations

Russell is responsible for all of DDH1 Drilling East Coast operations and is based out of Queensland. Russell joined DDH1 as East Coast Manager in 2009 with over 25 years' drilling industry experience including senior management roles within Australia and overseas. Russell has been instrumental in the growth of the DDH1 business on the East Coast and is a qualified engineering surveyor.

Richard Bennett

Managing Director Strike Drilling

Richard has 34 years’ experience in the exploration drilling industry.  Richard joined DDH1 in June 2018 through the Company’s acquisition of Strike Drilling. Richard is the founder of Strike Drilling and retains ongoing responsibility for the operational and financial performance of the Strike Drilling entity. Prior to establishing Strike Drilling in 2013, Richard had a successful background in drilling contracting and equipment sales.

Matt Izett

Managing Director Ranger Drilling

Matt has 34 years’ experience in the drilling industry. Matt joined DDH1 in April 2019 through the Company’s acquisition of Ranger Drilling. Matt is the founder of Ranger Drilling and retains ongoing responsibility for the overall operational and financial performance of the Ranger Drilling entity. Prior to establishing Ranger Drilling in 2005, Matt held positions across operations and management at mining drilling equipment services and supplier SDS Ausminco and drilling company Drillex.

Kent Swick

Managing Director Swick

Kent is a Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience in civil construction, mining maintenance and surface and underground mineral drilling. During his time as Maintenance Engineer with Atlas Copco Australia, Kent managed underground maintenance contracts, where he developed a strong understanding of underground mining methods and equipment. Kent is the founder and has been the driving technical force behind the design of Swick’s innovative underground diamond drill rig, and our award-winning surface reverse circulation drill rig. In addition to his degree, Kent has completed the Owner/ President Management program at Harvard Business School.