Liontown Resources has announced significant changes to its executive leadership team, with both Chief Financial Officer Jon Latto and Chief Operating Officer Adam Smits set to step down from their roles in July and August 2025, respectively.
The company has appointed Ryan Hair as the new Chief Operating Officer, effective 11 August 2025, and Graeme Pettit as Interim Chief Financial Officer while a formal search for a permanent CFO is underway.
Jon Latto, who joined Liontown in 2022, has played a pivotal role in guiding the company through a period of intense capital investment, market volatility, and successful project delivery.
He will remain in his position until 14 July 2025, after which Mr Pettit, Liontown’s current Head of Finance, will assume the role of Interim CFO.
Pettit brings over a decade of finance leadership experience in the mining sector and has been with Liontown since 2022, providing continuity and stability during the transition.
Adam Smits, who has been instrumental since Liontown’s early days, will depart at the end of August after overseeing the design, construction, and ramp-up of the Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation.
His successor, Ryan Hair, joins from Covalent Lithium, where he served as CEO and led the development of the Mount Holland mine and commissioning of a major lithium hydroxide refinery in Western Australia.
Hair brings more than 30 years of experience across mining and manufacturing, with deep expertise in engineering, operations, and commercial leadership.
Commenting on his appointment, Ryan Hair stated: “I am excited to join Liontown and contribute to the future direction of the company.
“I strongly believe in a sustainable future supported by lithium mining in Western Australia, and I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Kathleen Valley operations, ensuring that the world-class, long-life asset developed by the Liontown team continues to deliver safely, efficiently and reliably.”
Managing Director and CEO Tony Ottaviano thanked both outgoing executives for their outstanding contributions and welcomed the new appointments, noting: “As we look to the future, we are very pleased to welcome Ryan as Chief Operating Officer and Graeme as Acting Chief Financial Officer.”
