Richard Taylor

Dr Richard Taylor is a globally recognised leader in mining, energy and resource innovation with more than 20 years of international experience spanning diplomacy, operations, finance, and technology commercialisation. His unique blend of government advisory, commercial mining leadership, and entrepreneurial vision brings a powerful edge to the fund’s strategy in metals, energy transition, and exploration-driven value creation.

Richard began his career as an Australian trade negotiator, diplomat, and Trade Commissioner, representing Australia's economic interests in Asia and North America. This early foundation in international engagement has underpinned a career defined by cross-border dealmaking, resource project development, and multilateral advisory.

​

Between 2007 and 2018, Richard held senior executive roles across Asia and Africa with leading mining firms including Oxiana, PanAust, China Minmetals/MMG, and Mineral Deposits Ltd. He successfully led gold, copper, lead, zinc, and mineral sands operations, often in complex jurisdictions, combining operational discipline with a long-term view of community and stakeholder value.

​

He has advised governments in North and Southeast Asia through his work as a World Bank Oil, Gas and Mining Adviser, and was appointed Chair of the International Council on Mining and Metals' Resource Endowment Initiative, reflecting industry-wide recognition of his leadership in resource governance and sustainability.

​

In 2019, Richard co-founded SensOre Ltd, an AI-powered mineral exploration company, which he led to ASX listing in 2021. In 2024, he successfully orchestrated the spin-out of SensOre’s exploration assets into Premier1 Lithium, positioning the new company at the forefront of the battery metals sector.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Economics and Laws (First Class Honours), an LLM in International Law (ANU), an MBA from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD from Monash Business School, where his research focused on corporate behaviour in the global resource sector.

​

With deep expertise in base and precious metals, project finance, and frontier exploration technologies, Richard drives the fund’s access to high-potential assets and underexplored markets—delivering growth in sectors critical to the global energy transition.