Our Team

  • Patrick Murphy

    Co-Founder / Director / Chairman

    18 year career as mining investment professional. Previously Managing Director at AMCI Group. NED of Grid Metals (TSX-V), Juno Minerals (ASX:JNO), Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1).

    Thomas Todd

    Co-Founder / Director

    Experienced senior mining executive. Former CFO Of Aston Resources (acquired by Whitehaven Coal) & Custom Mining, Former NED Prairie Mining (AIM & ASX).

    Fraser Gardiner

    Managing Director & CEO

    Fraser is a Scotland-based minerals geologist with a 29 year career working on international discovery, exploration and mine development projects. Experience includes Country Exploration Manager – Saudi Arabia (Barrick Gold), Exploration Manager – Laos (private business) and Chief Operating Officer (Ormonde Mining plc).

    Roy Buchan

    Independent non-executive director

    Roy is a prominent business leader in North East Scotland with a career spanning over four decades in the energy, technology and infrastructure sectors. Currently Chair of the Port of Aberdeen, Scotland’s largest berthage port. Former Chief Operations Officer at Ithaca Energy and board member of Artificial Intelligence solutions provider OPEX Group.

    Louise Wrathall

    Non-Executive Director

    Louise is the nominee director representing Central Asia Metals plc. Louise, who qualified with a Master’s degree in mining geology from the Camborne School of Mines, has over 20 years of experience in the mining sector. She has worked as a mining equity analyst focused on London-listed companies, including for Investec covering FTSE 100 companies, and junior miners and explorers. She joined CAML in 2015 and was appointed to its board of directors in May 2022.

  • Fraser Gardiner

    Managing Director & CEO

    Fraser is a Scotland-based minerals geologist with a 29 year career working on international discovery, exploration and mine development projects. Experience includes Country Exploration Manager – Saudi Arabia (Barrick Gold), Exploration Manager – Laos (private business) and Chief Operating Officer (Ormonde Mining plc).

    Shirley Erridge

    Finance Manager

    Shirley has over 20 years of experience in many different areas of finance in a range of Aberdeenshire companies, including roles as cost analyst for a multi-national company, accounts manager, treasury partner and sales & purchase ledger manager. She joined Aberdeen Minerals in August 2024 and in her current role of Finance Manager supports the Chief Executive Officer and works with external accountants in the delivery of the company’s finance and administrative functions.

    Olivia Frankland

    Exploration Geologist

    Olivia graduated in June 2024 with a BSc in Geology from University of St Andrews, following which she completed a geology internship with Bell Geospace. Olivia is passionate about critical metal exploration and working with dynamic teams to drive the energy transition.

    Dr Erin Thompson

    Exploration Geologist & Ni-Cu Technical Lead

    PhD, MSci

    Erin joined the Company in May 2025 following completion of a PhD at University of Leicester.

    Her PhD research studied Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa, host to the largest PGE deposits in the world. Erin researched these world class deposits as part of an Anglo American-funded research consortium and collaborated with some of the top economic geology researchers in the UK.

    Blair Fowlie

    Exploration Geologist

    Blair joined the team in September 2025 after graduating with a BSc in Geoscience from University of Aberdeen. Born and raised in Aberdeenshire, Blair enjoys all aspects of mineral exploration in his local area from field surveys and drill core logging, to visiting local schools to discuss minerals and geoscience careers.

    Andrew Connon

    Land Management Advisor

    An Aberdeenshire resident and farmer, Andrew is an experienced business professional with an extensive contact base, and a diverse background in practical agriculture, finance, and management. Since 2025 Andrew has served as President of NFU Scotland.