The Manager of Asian Lion identifies, researches, reviews and recommends resource projects for investment to the Asian Lion Investment Committee. Each project is individually discriminated on country risk, seeking countries with the best geology and opportunities combined with the lowest political/economic/legal risk. The Asian Lion team is also able to call upon the expertise provided by the other Lion Manager Executives to analyse and evaluate opportunities, where appropriate.
Robin Widdup BSc (Hons), MAusIMM
Manager, Asian Funds 
Robin Widdup graduated from the University of Leeds (UK) with an Honours Degree in Geology in 1975. He worked in the Zambian copper belt gaining experience in mine geology at major copper-cobalt deposits, returning to the
United Kingdom in 1978 to work for the National Coal Board in open-cast coal exploration activities. In 1980, Robin joined Mount Isa Mines Limited in Queensland and worked in both the copper and silver-lead-zinc mine areas.
Robin moved to stockbroker J B Were & Son as base metals analyst in 1986, before his subsequent appointments as gold analyst and manager of J B Were’s Resource Research team. During his time at J B Were, Robin established himself as one of Australia’s leading resource analysts, and the Resource Research team under his management was held in the same regard.
Robin resigned from J B Were & Son in early 1997 to establish Lion Selection Group and Lion Manager. Robin retired as Managing Director of Lion Selection as part of the company’s restructure in 2009 but remains Managing Director of Lion Manager Pty Ltd.
Lion Manager – Other Executives
Mike Brook
Mike Brook is a geologist by training. Mike spent 10 years with MIM Holdings Limited in Queensland working as a mine geologist in the copper and lead-zinc-silver operations, progressing to become Chief Geologist for the copper mining operation. Mike joined stockbroker J B Were & Son in 1993 as a resource analyst specialising in emerging resource companies in the gold, base metals and mineral sands sectors. His research was recognised by the industry with an award from the Australian Gold Council for best junior company research in Australia in 2000. Mike joined the Lion team in 2001 and is Chairman of the African Lion Funds.
Tim Markwell
Tim has an honours degree in geology from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from FINSIA. Tim worked in senior technical roles for over 12 years with BHP Billiton, Golder Associates and Minara Resources specialising in resource assessment and was involved in feasibility studies for many resource projects in Australia. Tim has worked as a Resource Analyst for a Perth-based broking firm and prior to joining Lion Manager he worked as a Senior Investment Analyst for LinQ Resources Fund. Tim joined the Lion team in Febuary 2007 and manages the African Lion Funds.
Damon Rhodes
Damon is a geologist whose career started at the BHP Billiton iron ore operations in the Pilbara where he held mine geology, quality control, and near mine exploration and development roles. Damon completed the Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment with FINSIA in 2004 and from 2005 until joining Lion in October 2007 was exploring for iron ore, coal and manganese across Australia, Africa and South America with BHP Billiton Minerals Exploration.
Hedley Widdup
Hedley Widdup graduated as a geologist with first class honours from the University of Melbourne in 2000. Upon finishing his degree, Hedley joined WMC Resources as a geologist working at the Mt Keith Nickel Mine. Hedley has extensive experience as a mine geologist having worked at Olympic Dam, Mt Isa (Black Star open cut mine) and the St Ives Gold Mine where he was Senior Mine Geologist of the combined open pits. Hedley joined the Lion Team in July 2007 as a senior mining analyst.
Craig Smyth
Craig graduated from the Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, and completed his Master of Applied Finance at the University of Melbourne. Craig’s financial background includes Coopers Lybrand, Credit Suisse First Boston (London) and ANZ Investment Bank. Craig is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia. Craig is also Managing Director of Lion Selection Group Limited.