Finding the Front

Our special guest for this Episode of Finding the Front is Tony Ottaviano, the Managing Director & CEO of lithium producer Liontown Resources and what an insightful and educational story it is! Raised in a close Italian family, Tony started as a graduate with a mining job in the Pilbara. He rose to the senior level management of BHP and shares his deep insights into the iron ore sector including the introduction of Fortescue Metals, the proposed takeover of Rio Tinto by BHP, drilling, leading teams, mines and production. He made the move from big business to a small lithium company called Liontown Resources after getting a call from Chair Tim Goyder and what a journey this has been. Building a company, securing offtake agreements with Ford, LG and Tesla, construction, challenges of the lithium market, the impact of China: overcapacity, involution, CATL and the recent capital raising including the cornerstone investment of $50m by the National Reconstruction Fund investment. Tony is passionate and shines through in what really is a fantastic insight with so many takeaways.   To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

Our very special guest is John Rothwell AO, the Founder, former Executive Chair and current Independent Non-Executive Director of Australian ship building success story Austal. John arrived in Australia from the Netherlands around age 10 and didn’t speak English, he left school at age 15 and followed his entrepreneurial spirit that kicked in early. John worked out early that he loved making things and was good with his hands. He built his first boat at age 13 and wacked a motorcycle engine in it to make it go. Austal was founded in 1988 and the rest is history. It is now one of Australia’s largest defence exporter and the first ASX listed shipbuilder with a current market cap of more than $2bln and has designed and constructed over 350 vessels for commercial and defence operators in 59 countries worldwide. It has major defence contracts with the US Navy. John provides a detailed insight into this remarkable story and growing Austal to be the phenomenal company it is today. This story is one that will no doubt be told for many, many years to come. To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

50th Ep. Gold. China. Leadership. Strategy. Australian Mining’s Challenges. Unfiltered. Our special guest is one of Australia’s most influential mining leaders, Jake Klein, Executive Chair of Evolution Mining. In this jam packed Finding the Front 50thepisode Jake provides valuable lessons and observations in gold, China and importantly, the future of Australia's mining sector. A seriously insightful discussion, Jake opens up on his: early days in Cape Town and arriving in Australia with $1,000 in his pocket, the major influence of his first job at Macquarie Group,  views on early China and leading the largest foreign gold miner in China Sino Gold to a $2.2B exit, insights into the founding of Lynas Rare Earths Ltd where he was a long term Non-Exec Director, his journey over 15 years and the steps to build Evolution into a gold powerhouse - M&A, gold assets (inc. Mt Rawdon, its mine life to now becoming a Pumped Hydro Project for Qld energy), costs, people, gold price and the challenges facing the future of the Australian mining sector including the major influence of China. For those who love mining or are involved in the industry, opportunities like this don’t come along often.  To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

A Legend Behind the Wheel of Business. Few names carry weight in the WA Automotive sector like John Hughes. Starting his own business in his early 30s in 1969 and for over 50 years, navigating business cycles, accumulating a stable of new car brands and a huge pre-owned vehicle operation to now having car yards across Perth. John has led from the front the whole way doing what he loves. This is a timeless episode for all generations and walks of life. From his background and upbringing, to becoming a household name in Perth and beyond, this story is packed with deep insight, energy, and inspiration. The takeaways and life lessons just keep on coming: Getting a start in the Car industry Meeting his beautiful wife Margarita Borrowing the lot to get his first site The power of loving what you do   What it takes to build and maintain a trusted brand What it takes to be a best seller - sales and marketing truths from a master The mindset behind being extraordinary — every single day Family This conversation is a rare window into the mind of one of Australia’s most enduring entrepreneurs.  To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

New Episode: Finding the Front with Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals (FMG.ASX) In this rare and candid episode, Dino reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career—from his early upbringing to leading operations in Mozambique and navigating major challenges in Canada, including a 77-day employee strike and the devastating Brumadinho tailings dam disaster. Dino opens up about his journey to FMG, his transition into the CEO role, and the values he brings to leadership: transparency, authenticity, and deep respect for the company's legacy. He also acknowledges the powerful influence of Dr Andrew Forrest and the contribution and culture of FMG’s 20,000+ strong team. This episode goes beyond mining. It explores innovation at the intersection of technology and sustainability, and Fortescue’s vision of producing Green Iron—a bold roadmap that’s redefining the future of iron ore. A hugely insightful listen with a proud WA leader who is helping lead a global shift. To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

Our special guest for this episode is Loui Kannikoski, the Founder, Managing Director & CEO of leading marine solutions provider Bhagwan Marine. After leaving school at age 14, Loui began his career working in the family crayfishing business in Geraldton, taking over the business in the mid-1980s. In the late 90s, Loui and his family decided to change tack and shift out of crayfishing and enter the oil and gas industry as a service provider. Well the rest as they say is history. In 2000, Bhagwan Marine was formed and some 24 years later the company listed on the ASX now operating across the oil & gas, resources, civil construction, logistics and defence industries. There are not too many journeys around like this one. To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

In this Ep of Finding the Front it was a privilege to host Robert Millner AO, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most experienced and respected investors and Chair of iconic company, the 120+ year old Soul Patts (Washington H. Soul Pattinson). Rob is the 4th generation of his family to lead the business and the simple but important takeaways from this conversation are compelling for all investors. Rob has been Chair of Soul Patts over the past quarter of a century overseeing significant growth in shareholder value and increasing the dividends paid every year over the last 25 years. This podcast covers comparison to Berkshire Hathaway, his family upbringing, first job in the markets, the Soul Patts journey and focusing on good people and cash generation, New Hope Coal, Brickworks, TPG, buying businesses and what is key, his view on the cost of doing business, the current market conditions and the US and much more. To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

For this brand new episode of Finding the Front we are so fortunate to have biotech and life sciences veteran Matt Callahan on the show. Matt is a Philadelphia based, Australian born life sciences entrepreneur, with a track record of building and exiting numerous life sciences companies in pain, oncology, dermatology, cell therapies, animal health and regenerative medicine. He starts the show off on the front foot answering the question of Donald Trumps impact going forward on the US Biotech and Life Science sector showcasing his thoughts for aspiring investors. Matt has accumulated 25 years legal, life sciences, IP and investment management experience and is founder and executive director of ASX listed Botanix Pharmaceuticals, co-founder and director of Respirion Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd and was also a co-founder of life science companies Dimerix Bioscience Ltd, Mirata Pharmaceuticals LLC and Orthocell Ltd, as well as the Bill Gates backed climate tech company, Rumin8 Pty Ltd. Matt is such a great communicator and provides some deep insights into being an entrepreneur, the world of life sciences, FDA approval, the phases of a company and distribution. This really is a captivating chat. To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here

Paul Blackburne, an award-winning property developer from Western Australia, shares his journey of developing over $1 billion in property. He discusses his unexpected entry into real estate spurred by family needs and reflects on lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis. Paul emphasizes the importance of relationships in navigating market challenges and highlights the evolving demand for luxury developments tailored to aging demographics. Additionally, he touches on the balance between professional goals and personal life in the competitive property space.

Our very special guest is Pilbara Minerals MD & CEO Dale Henderson and there is no stone left unturned in this conversation around PLS, the lithium story and both the challenges but also the opportunity set in a world of growing EV and battery storage adoption. Dale grew up in NZ, excelled at University, thrives on a challenge and kept on building his skill set to be the leader he is today. If you want an understanding of Dale’s global views on the current Lithium market and where it is positioned, this is compulsory listening. 0.00: Growing up in NZ and getting an education 9.25:  “building stuff and scale”, career kicks off 13.04: Move to Australia, Newman Hope Downs 1, Middle East Oil & Gas, Back to Australia, Worley Parsons, Fortescue Metals Group 25.50: Joining Pilbara Minerals, intro to Lithium, Great Team, 28.42: Deep Dive; including Origins, EV Sales, Supply, Demand, Pricing, Battery Manufacturing and the long game, Partnering, Downstream, Car Companies, Global markets and the role of China, being CEO and Strategy, New Transport Tech, Capital Allocation, Opportunity 1.08.28: Family and work/life balance? Ultra Marathons & Mountaineering To request a Euroz Hartleys team member to contact you or if you have some feedback on the podcast please click here   Please follow us and stay up to date with Euroz Hartleys on LinkedIn To be added to the podcast “new release” email distribution list please click here