Leadership supporting DPIL’s next chapter.
DPIL’s leadership brings experience in corporate finance, strategic acquisitions, international business, research and environmental consultancy. These complementary backgrounds support the company’s current focus on the development of its natural resources project in Paraíba, Brazil.
Mark Aaron Hardwicke
Director
Corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance.
Mark Aaron Hardwicke is a British business executive and entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience in strategic corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance advisory.
He has held senior operational, leadership and advisory positions across multiple sectors, supporting private and institutional investors with transactions and growth strategies.
Corporate finance and transaction experience.
His experience includes corporate acquisitions and disposals, management buyouts and buy-ins, growth capital, fundraising and strategic restructuring.
He has advised owner-managed businesses, private equity organisations, corporate entities and high-net-worth individuals across sectors including heavy engineering, biotechnology, manufacturing, media, software, logistics, construction, event management, security, travel and information technology. His transaction experience includes deals valued at up to $1.1 billion.
Appointments.
- Chief Operating Officer — Cotswolds Capital Ltd.
- Director — Distribution Products (International) Ltd.
- Director, Secretary and CEO — Human Magic Ltd.
- Director — PH Creative Name Co Ltd.
Business interests.
Mark is a Person with Significant Control in Only Pure Ltd and Distribution Products (International) Ltd, with involvement in consultancy, management and investment-led businesses.
Dr John William Sutherlin, PhD
Non-Executive Director and Strategic Advisor
Research, innovation, environmental policy and technology commercialisation.
Dr John W. Sutherlin is an American academic, environmental consultant and researcher whose work spans public policy, sustainability and technology commercialisation.
He serves as Chief Innovation and Research Officer and Professor of Political Science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), leading research, innovation and commercialisation initiatives.
Academic background and appointments.
He holds a BA from Louisiana Tech University and a master’s degree and PhD from the University of New Orleans. His specialisation is international relations and comparative government, with a focus on environmental policy.
He is Co-Founder and Director of the Social Science Research Laboratory (SSRL) and formerly served as Director of Sponsored Programs and Research.
Innovation and environmental consultancy.
His work covers technology licensing, research commercialisation, public-private partnerships, innovation policy and sustainability programmes. He negotiated ULM’s first technology licensing agreement.
His environmental and policy consultancy has extended across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America, including lake remediation, water treatment research and sustainable development initiatives.
Publications and documentary work.
His environmental case-study publications include Playing With Fire — The Strange Case of Marine Shale Processors and Garbage Gumbo — The Strange Case of the Belle Landfill. He has also produced or directed 28 documentary films covering environmental, social and community issues.
Recognition and professional development.
- Two-time Professor of the Year — ULM Student Government Association.
- Tom and Mayme Scott Endowed Professorship in Teaching Excellence.
- Executive leadership training at Harvard Kennedy School.
- Fulbright Specialist Roster member.
- Finalist for Louisiana Secretary of Environmental Quality.
José Marcelo dos Santos
Mineral Exploration Consultant and Mining Project Developer
Mineral exploration, pegmatite geology, resource assessment and responsible project development in Brazil.
José Marcelo dos Santos is a Brazilian mineral exploration consultant and mining project developer with more than fifteen years’ experience in mineral prospecting, geological exploration and mining project development.
Based in Recife, Pernambuco, his work has focused on Brazil’s mineral resources, with particular expertise in pegmatite formations, industrial minerals and mineral deposits of significant economic potential.
Exploration and project development.
Since 2010, José has been involved in the assessment, planning, coordination and development of mineral exploration projects across Brazil.
His work includes identifying and evaluating prospective mineral areas, geological interpretation of pegmatite formations, field investigations, mineral prospecting, exploration target definition and assessment of mineral rights and investment opportunities.
Technical and commercial support.
José provides technical support during mining asset acquisitions and project evaluation, working with landowners, technical professionals, regulatory authorities, strategic partners and investors.
His competencies include geological prospecting, geological mapping, mineral resource assessment, industrial minerals, gemstone exploration, technical due diligence, environmental management and mining project evaluation.
Responsible mineral development.
His approach combines technical evaluation with environmental responsibility and sustainable mining practices, with an emphasis on commercially viable and environmentally responsible development of Brazil’s mineral resources.
Education.
José holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil.
