About Us
Our Team
An expert group of staff, referred to as the Executive, carries out work agreed by our Board and its sub-committees.
About Us
An expert group of staff, referred to as the Executive, carries out work agreed by our Board and its sub-committees.
Chief Executive
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Chief Executive
Ruth was appointed Chief Executive of the LBMA in January 2014. She is responsible for the success and strategic development of the LBMA, in partnership with the Chairman and the Board. She is also responsible for maintaining accountability to and the quality of, the Association's Membership and Good Delivery Refiners as well as representing the interests of the Association in relation to regulators, investors, media and international precious metals markets.
Before being appointed Chief Executive, she spent seven years working in the Association, initially as Commercial Director and then as Deputy Chief Executive, where she acted as the main lead on Governmental Affairs. She was also responsible for the Association's work on supply chain due diligence, with particular regard to the creation and implementation of the LBMA’s Responsible Gold Guidance. She has represented the Association at industry, governmental and multi-stakeholder regulatory forums. She continues to serve as Vice Chair of the OECD Multi-Stakeholder Governance Group for Responsible Minerals. As Commercial Director, she oversaw the development of the LBMA Conference, the LBMA's quarterly publication the Alchemist and the LBMA website.
Prior to joining the LBMA, she worked in bank finance and US corporate law at the law firms of White & Case and Norton Rose, and also acted as a monitor at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. She has an MSc in History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and a degree in English Literature from Kenyon College in Ohio.
Deputy Chief Executive & General Counsel
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Deputy Chief Executive & General Counsel
As Executive Director and General Counsel of LBMA, Sakhila leads on sustainability, notably, the responsible sourcing and ESG agenda. Her role also includes leading on market development projects and all the legal and regulatory work. As a Board Member she works closely with the Directors and the CEO on the strategic direction of LBMA, guiding on the governance and legal and compliance risks.
Following the success of LBMA’s responsible sourcing programme, Sakhila’s focus has broadened to ensure that this grows to become the leading industry standard - by establishing principal ESG requirements. She has advised the industry on how this and the wider sustainability principles impact the precious metals sector. She is a leading industry subject matter expert and has spoken at several global events.
Sakhila is continuously engaged with industry participants across the value chain, as well as civil society and media. She has strongly focused on active lobbying on a number of issues, including financial services regulations, fostering relationships with several governments and regulators. She educates stakeholders on the dynamics of the precious metals markets and LBMA’s role and work. Sakhila is also involved in setting policies, establishing market standards and leading the incident management process within the LBMA, to resolve high profiled issues.
In addition, Sakhila works on market development projects – such as leading the Gold Bar Integrity project, which focuses on how technology can help address supply chain issues. The global remit of this project and the multiple other complex projects that she has worked on, means that Sakhila is often invited to share her thoughts on new market initiatives by stakeholders.
Sakhila brings a wealth of experience having previously worked in the energy and commodities industry where she dealt with compliance, legal and regulatory matters. Sakhila read law at the London School of Economics and went onto qualify as a solicitor.
Chief Financial Officer
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Chief Financial Officer
Ed Blight joined the LBMA in September 2015 as the Operations Director and was appointed Chief Finance Officer in January 2017. He is responsible for directing and defining the LBMA’s Financial and Business Operations strategies as well being the business process lead for all Membership matters. On top of this he is responsible for the Human Resources, Technology, Contractual Support, Commercialisation and Office Management functions of the LBMA business.
His career includes 31 successful years in the British Army where he saw service in many countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. For his final 6 years of service he was stationed in Defence Equipment & Support working across the whole UK MOD to finance the resources necessary to operate all Land, Sea and Air platforms and equipment in line with the UK Governments’ Defence Planning Assumptions. Since leaving the Army, he has worked successfully within the commercial sector running major multi-site logistics and fulfilment operations with significant P&L responsibility. He moved in to the Precious Metals sector in 2012 and before joining the LBMA, he lead the development of all Precious Metals Operations capability and facilities at G4S Cash Solutions UK Limited where he worked in partnership with Deutsche Bank AG to build and operate a state of the art Precious Metals vaulting capability.
CChem – Chief Technical Officer
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CChem – Chief Technical Officer
As Chief Technical Officer for the LBMA, Neil’s responsibilities include acting as the Executive’s main contact for the Good Delivery system for GD Refiners, applicants and LBMA Committees. His duties include managing the LBMA Good Delivery accreditation system, including applications, Pro-Active Monitoring, Proficiency Testing and other GD related projects. The role also involves overseeing the work of the GDL Officer in the administration of the Good Delivery system as well as managing the implementation by gold Good Delivery refiners of the LBMA’s Responsible Gold Guidance and ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the Good Delivery work carried out by the LBMA.
He brings to the role a wealth of experience having previously been Head of Evaluation at the Rand Refinery in South Africa. He represented the Rand Refinery at the LBMA as the only Referee in the Southern Hemisphere. As one of only five Referees appointed by the LBMA to oversee the maintenance of the LBMA’s Good Delivery List, he has been involved in many initiatives to ensure and develop the integrity of the gold industry. He contributed to the steering committee which produced the “Conflict-Free” Gold Standard of the World Gold Council as well as the development of the LBMA’s Responsible Gold Guidance and presented the Rand Refinery “Artisanal gold” Model at the OECD in Paris. He was a Board Member of the Responsible Jewellery Council representing the Gold and/or Platinum Metals, Refiners and/or Hedgers Forum as well as sitting on the Membership Committee. His work experience included nine years in the Platinum Industry and held the position as a member of the South African Organising Committee of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Chief of Staff
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Chief of Staff
Lili joined LBMA in July 2023 as the Chief of Staff. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Lili provides strategic support across LBMA to deliver the business development agenda as well as providing advisory guidance to the CEO. On behalf of the CEO, she drives alignment across the Leadership Team, Board and clients, focussing on strategy and leadership. Lili is also responsible for maintaining key stakeholder relationships to further support LBMA in meeting its long-term ambitions.
Before joining LBMA, Lili's background spans insurance, hedge funds, private equity, and the arts. At Fidelis MGU, she held roles as Group Head of Administration and later Senior Legal Project Coordinator; building global teams, managing operational projects, and supporting management on the successful completion of a bifurcation; a historical deal in the reinsurance space. Her previous experiences include working in Investor Relations, Business Management, and Operations, showcasing leadership and versatility. Lili has an entrepreneurial spirit, is a culture champion and strongly believes that positive change can be achieved through operational excellence.
Director of Financial Services
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Director of Financial Services
As Head of Communications at LBMA, Edel works with the CEO to create and deliver dynamic communications and events that engage our key stakeholders and align with LBMA’s business vision and objectives. She manages the Marketing Communications and Events team who deliver a wide range of services for LBMA and the market, encompassing our annual conference and other events that we hold throughout the year; our ever growing communications and website content, our quarterly magazine, annual review and other publications; our webinar programme and our ongoing media engagements.
Edel brings with her a wealth of precious metals market experience, as the former Global Head of Precious Metals Sales for UBS. Prior to that, she was Head of Precious Metals Strategy at UBS with responsibility for forecasting and publishing research on the precious metals complex. She was also Head of Precious Metals Research at Mitsui and Co. Precious Metals Inc., a role she held from 2006 - 2010. Edel has a PhD from Trinity College Dublin (2006), awarded for her thesis ‘A Tripartite Investigation of the Gold Market: Pricing Influences, Intraday Patterns and Daily Seasonality’, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from the University of Limerick (2002).
Financial Controller
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Financial Controller
Stephanie Bennell joined LBMA in August 2017. She is responsible the accounting-related activities in the organisation. Her duties include maintaining internal controls over financial data, processes, and reporting.
Deputy Head of Communications
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Deputy Head of Communications
Katherine supports the Head of Communications to develop marketing strategy and deliver communications across all LBMA digital channels. She is focused on engaging LBMA’s key stakeholders and supporting the organisation’s vision and objectives. Additionally, Katherine provides support in the administration and organisation of the Association's Public Affairs.
Prior to joining LBMA Katherine built her strategy, campaign and comms expertise at global advertising and marketing agencies, such as M&C Saatchi Group. Working with a wide range of international brands, with a focus on the financial services sector. She holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Modern History and a Master’s Degree in Advertising and Communications from the University of Leeds.
Digital Content Manager
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Digital Content Manager
Shelly supports the Head of Communications to create and develop content across digital channels that engages the LBMA’s key stakeholders and supports the organisation’s vision and objectives.
Shelly brings a wealth of content creation, strategy, and campaign experience from previous roles in the professional and financial service industries, as well as Lloyd’s of London insurance market and publishing houses.
Senior Events Executive
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Senior Events Executive
Becca joined LBMA in January 2024 and leads on the planning and delivery of LBMA’s events. Working closely with the CEO’s office and the Head of Events, she ensures that all conferences, networking events, and member engagements meet LBMA’s high standards. She also supports the delivery of LBMA’s webinar and training programmes.
Head of Good Delivery
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Head of Good Delivery
Vijayacittā joined LBMA in October 2024 as Head of Good Delivery. As a member of the Leadership team, her role is instrumental in driving the implementation of strategic initiatives and managing key stakeholder relationships. Responsible for driving operational excellence and efficiency of the Good Delivery and Physical Services team. Working with the Chief Technical Officer she implements the strategy for the Good Delivery List, setting long-term goals and ensuring alignment with LBMA’s overall mission, developing strategy on internal and external deliverables.
Before joining LBMA, Vijayacittā worked across numerous sectors, and her experience spanned membership bodies, trade associations, awarding organisations and accreditation systems and processes, including qualification and standards regulators, quality assurance and accreditations.
Head of Responsible Sourcing
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Head of Responsible Sourcing
Alan manages the LBMA’s Responsible Sourcing Programme for precious metals, which is mandatory for all Good Delivery List Refiners.
Prior to joining LBMA, Alan spent over a decade carrying out investigative research into the intersection between natural resources, human rights and illicit financial flows. As the former director of research at IMPACT he has an intimate understanding of the challenges and vulnerabilities to responsible sourcing in the artisanal mining sector, trading and refining hubs and jewellery manufacturing centres. A journalist by training, he spent over a decade working in journalism in Canada, the UK and various countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Born and raised in Southern Africa, he holds a Master’s degree in conflict and development from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London.
Compliance Analyst
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Compliance Analyst
Emma joined LBMA in 2023 and supports the day-to-day activities of the Compliance team. She is primarily responsible for the maintenance of LBMA’s Member and Good Delivery Refiner Due Diligence programme. Emma holds degrees from the University of Toronto and UCL.
Member Services & Relationship Manager
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Member Services & Relationship Manager
Olabisi Porteous joined LBMA in April 2024, bringing a wealth of experience working with membership bodies. Olabisi plays a crucial role in supporting our Chief Finance Officer to oversee and deliver Membership Services ensuring that our Membership processes are fit for purpose, efficient, and transparent. One of the key aspects of Olabisi’s role is lead on Relationship Management across all key stakeholders and to embed Relationship Management across the business.
Senior Compliance Associate
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Senior Compliance Associate
Emmy works alongside the Membership, Good Delivery and Responsible Sourcing departments to manage and develop the compliance programme across the spectrum of LBMA’s work. Emmy also supports market development projects with a focus on data and analytics
Policy Manager
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Policy Manager
Amardeep supports the General Counsel across the Responsible Sourcing Programme, market development projects and legal and regulatory work. She has over ten years policy experience covering both financial services and competition regulation. Amardeep joined LBMA from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), where she worked on merger and market investigations. Throughout her career she has closely engaged with government, regulators, trade associations and consumer organisations.
