What leadership changes did Ausgold Limited (ASX:AUC) recently announce?

Ausgold has appointed Ben Stockdale as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, moving him up from his previous role as Chief Financial Officer.

Why is Ausgold (ASX:AUC) restructuring its senior management team now?

The company is preparing for a Final Investment Decision (FID) regarding its 100%-owned Katanning Gold Project (KGP) in Western Australia.

What is Ben Stockdale’s background and how does it fit the CEO role?

Ben Stockdale brings over 25 years of experience in the resources industry, specifically focusing on exploration, development, and project financing. Having joined Ausgold as CFO in August 2024, his expertise in debt and equity financing is considered critical as the company seeks to fund the construction of the Katanning Gold Project.

Who is Reece Olney and what is his role at the Katanning Gold Project?

Reece Olney is a mining veteran with over 30 years of experience across open-cut and underground operations, including past leadership roles at Mt Gibson Iron and Fenix Resources.

How does this news impact the Ausgold (ASX:AUC) investment thesis?

This news shifts the investment thesis from "exploration upside" toward "execution and production delivery." By hiring an operations specialist and a finance-heavy CEO, the company is signaling that the Katanning Gold Project is moving toward reality.

Ausgold appoints new CEO for Katanning Project

Written by Isaac FrancisPublished May. 14 2026

Ausgold (ASX:AUC) has strengthened its executive ranks as it nears a final investment decision for its flagship Katanning Gold Project in Western Australia.

Ben Stockdale has been elevated to CEO with immediate effect. Stockdale, who joined the company as CFO in August 2024, brings over 25 years of expertise in resource exploration and project financing.

He succeeds John Doward, who will maintain his position as executive chairman to ensure leadership continuity before transitioning to a non-executive role by late 2026.

Further bolstering the team's technical depth, Reece Olney has been appointed as General Manager Operations for the KGP.

A veteran with more than 30 years of industry experience, Olney recently served as general manager for the Weld Range Project and has held various leadership roles at Mt Gibson Iron.

His primary focus will involve overseeing the KGP development team through the critical construction phase and ensuring operational readiness for the start of mining.

Executive Chairman John Doward noted that these appointments are essential for Ausgold’s transition from a project developer to an active gold producer.

At the time of reporting, Ausgold’s share price was $0.90.