Alba, the world’s largest single-site smelter, announced the appointment of Ricardo Fontes Santana as its new chief financial officer (CFO), with effect from August 15, 2024.

A seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of global experience, Mr Santana brings a wealth of knowledge in the metals and mining industry.

His distinguished career includes leadership roles at industry giants such as Sohar Aluminium, South32, ESSILOR, BHP Billiton, and Shell, spanning diverse geographies including Brazil, Australia, Singapore, The Netherlands, Portugal, and Oman.

“We are delighted to welcome Ricardo to the Alba family,” said Alba chairman Khalid Al Rumaihi. “His deep-rooted expertise in the global industrial sector, coupled with a proven ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, makes him an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that his leadership will contribute significantly to Alba’s growth journey.”

Alba’s chief executive Ali Al Baqali added: “Ricardo’s appointment underscores our unwavering commitment to assembling a world-class leadership team. His impressive history of delivering exceptional financial performance and executing strategic initiatives aligns perfectly with Alba’s ambitious vision.”

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Mr Santana stated: “I am honoured to join the Alba executive team and contribute to the company’s ongoing success. By leveraging my financial expertise and collaborating closely with the leadership team, I am confident in our ability to drive sustainable growth, enhance shareholder value, and consolidate Alba’s position as a global industry leader.”

Mr Santana holds an MBA in finance and controlling from Universidade Federal Fluminense and has completed executive education programmes at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, and the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He is also certified in investor relations by the UK’s IR Society.