Wildcat Gold Plc (LON: WCAT) has appointed James Knowles as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.
Knowles is co-founder and Executive Chairman of First Class Metals plc (LON: FCM), the Main Market-listed gold and critical-metals explorer.
He played a central role in establishing First Class Metals, securing funding and completing its London Stock Exchange admission in July 2022, and has served as executive chairman for five years.
The appointment gives Wildcat access to experience spanning both listed natural-resources companies and corporate finance.
Knowles previously spent 26 years at Barclays Bank, where his work included debt financing for real-estate projects.
He was also a board director of Lancashire Community Finance Trust between 2008 and 2012, representing Barclays, and has held directorships at Orogenic Gold Exploration Investments and Anglo Guinea Gold.
Wildcat chief executive Mandhir Singh said Knowles’ experience would contribute to the company’s future growth and development.
As Senior Independent Director, Knowles will also strengthen the company’s independent board representation as Wildcat advances its strategy.
The company confirmed there are no additional matters requiring disclosure under UK Listing Rule 6.4.8R, which covers areas including previous directorships, insolvencies, criminal convictions and regulatory sanctions.
For investors, the appointment adds a director with practical experience of building, financing and bringing an exploration business to the London market.
The significance will ultimately depend on how that experience translates into Wildcat’s own funding strategy, corporate development and advancement of its exploration portfolio.
