Lithium materials producer PLS has moved to bolster its executive and board capabilities, announcing the appointment of a new CFO and a new nonexecutive director.

PLS appointed Alex Willcocks as CFO, effective May 25, 2026. Willcocks brings more than 20 years’ experience across listed and multinational companies, including senior finance leadership positions within the Wesfarmers Group. She most recently served as CFO of Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers.

Willcocks also brings direct lithium-sector exposure through her governance work with Covalent Lithium, the WesCEF–SQM joint venture.

PLS CEO Dale Henderson said her appointment comes at an important moment for the company. “Alex joins us at an important time as we continue our evolution into a global, multi-asset and increasingly integrated lithium business… Her experience leading complex organisations, delivering major growth programs and supporting a mature balance sheet will be instrumental as we move into the next chapter of PLS’s development.”

Interim CFO Flavio Garofalo will remain with the company in a senior leadership role to ensure continuity.

In a separate announcement, PLS said Robert Nicholson will join its board as a nonexecutive director from January 1. Nicholson is chair of Alinta Energy and holds directorships at Electro Optic Systems, Port of Melbourne, the European Australian Business Council and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. His career spans energy, infrastructure, funds management and industrial sectors, with deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and major project development across Australia and Asia.

PLS chair Kathleen Conlon said Nicholson’s arrival would further strengthen the board’s capability. “Robert brings extensive boardroom experience across energy, infrastructure and complex industrial operations… His governance excellence and commercial acumen will be invaluable as we focus on operational excellence, disciplined capital allocation and delivering sustainable returns through the lithium market cycle.”

The company also confirmed the planned retirement of long-serving nonexecutive director Steve Scudamore at the end of December.