Scotgold Resources Limited, the Australia-based gold exploration firm focused on Scotland, has announced big changes to its board.

Scotgold said Sean Duffy, 52, joins the firm as chief financial officer and Evan Spencer, 51, joins the company as non-executive director and chairman of the technical committee.

Meanwhile, Phillip Jackson and former CEO Richard Gray will stand down from the Scotgold board with immediate effect.

Ian Proctor will take over the position as chair of the audit committee from Jackson.

Duffy and Spencer are mining industry veterans.

“Richard was CEO of Scotgold for seven years and was instrumental in bringing the Cononish mine into production,” said Scotgold.

“Phillip has been on the board for over 10 years and during that time has provided significant guidance and advice to the board.”

Scotgold chairman Peter Hetherington said: “I want to thank both Richard and Phillip for their long distinguished service to Scotgold.

“We are delighted to welcome Sean and Evan to the board, they bring a wealth of experience in terms of financial, operational and market expertise and are ideally placed to help us deliver on our short and mid-long-term objectives.”

Scotgold said Duffy has more than 25 years of finance experience in the mining industry, previously as CFO and company secretary for ASX and UK Listed Adriatic Metals Plc, TSX-V and ASX-listed Black Dragon Gold and for TSX-V listed Asian Mineral Resources.

Previously, Duffy was CFO and company secretary for AIM-listed Anglo Asian Mining Plc and has held senior finance roles at BHP Billiton’s global operations, including Finance Director of BHP Billiton Indonesia.

Spencer has held senior roles with Barrick Gold, Western Mining Corporation, Placer Dome, Kagara Corp, Gold Fields Ltd and Aditya Birla Minerals, and led the ramp-up and production of the Ban Phuc nickel mine and Nevada Copper mine as CEO of the respective companies.