Our people

Ian Blackie

Managing Partner—Johannesburg, SA

Ian completed an Honours degree in Geology from the University of the Witwatersrand in the early 1970’s. Ian joined TRANSEARCH Africa in early 1999.

In the intervening 26 years, Ian worked for two of South Africa’s largest mining houses and held senior management positions in the following disciplines: exploration geology, mine geology, geological consulting, mineral economics, mineral processing, information technology, human resources. Before joining TRANSEARCH Africa on dissolution of Gold Fields of South Africa’s non-gold assets, he was Managing Director of Base Metal Operations.

Mike Shearing

Consultant—Johannesburg, SA

Mike graduated from the University of Cape Town with a BSc (Hons) degree in Geology, and joined De Beers as an Exploration Geologist in South Africa, Angola and Swaziland. Following his MBA at UCT, he joined Anglo American and was responsible for the recruitment of head-office-based technical staff for its mining operations. He was the HR member of various project teams for activities in Namibia, Mali and South Africa.

Barbara Burge

Head of Research and Project Manager—Johannesburg, SA

Barbara completed her BA degree in 1976 with a major in Sociology and Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand and completed a post-graduate Diploma in Management at its Graduate School of Business. Before joining TRANSEARCH Africa, she worked for a number of leading construction and industrial equipment firms in human resources and was Human Resource Manager for the Carlton and The Westin Hotel Group in South Africa. Barbara joined TRANSEARCH Africa in 1998 and has progressed through roles as a researcher to her present position.

Nigel Bradburn

Director—London, UK

Nigel has been with Norman Broadbent’s Energy & Natural Resources practice since 2000. He has conducted an extensive range of senior assignments in engineering, geosciences, and other disciplines for client operations as well as for service companies and engineering consultancies in the UK and overseas. Nigel is based in London.

Jorge Velaochaga

Managing Partner—Lima, Peru

Jorge’s executive search assignments have included the pharmaceutical, IT, tobacco and energy sectors. He has past experience in sales, administration, human resources, strategic planning and international business. Jorge is a Bachelor of Science graduate of Universidad de Lima and an MBA graduate from University of Texas at Austin.

Debaduta Mohanty, MBA, BBA

Researcher—New Delhi

Located in our office in New Delhi, Debaduta provides dedicated research to our Resource, Energy and Infrastructure practice.

Specializing in market intelligence, using advanced information and a computer-based system, Deb maps out industries and companies to ensure we have current and in-depth information. Deb holds a MBA in Finance and Human Resources from Utkell University, and a BBA with distinction.