Cliff Lawrenson was Atlas Iron's managing director in late 2016, having joined the company after serving as chief executive of Avenira (formerly Minemakers), and led the company to its acquisition by Hancock Prospecting. He was also chief executive of FerrAus where he led a recommended takeover by Atlas in December 2011; group chief executive of GRD Limited from 2006 which incorporated GRD Minproc, OceanaGold and Global Renewables; and a senior executive and vice president of CMS Energy Corporation in the US and Singapore.
Mr Lawrenson served on several boards in international locations where he led the development and financing of numerous major infrastructure projects.