Meet the Board: Nick Barlow

Nick Barlow has dedicated more than 35 years to the mining industry, with experience spanning technical and leadership roles, including his tenure as Executive Head of Technical for Anglo American Bulk Commodities and Other Minerals (2016-2020) and Anglo American Coal (2014-2016). Since retiring from full-time work in 2020, Nick has focused on advisory roles, offering his expertise to close industry colleagues and organizations like BRIMM, where he now serves as chairman of the board. 

At BRIMM, Nick brings together board members and advisors, working closely with leaders across the organization to foster collaboration. He describes himself as a “conduit to help BRIMM’s leadership” align their diverse perspectives, acting as a sounding board to guide board discussions and help shape the organization’s priorities. With his experience in both leadership and advisory capacities, Nick offers steady guidance that helps steer BRIMM toward its vision.

Building a sustainable and lasting institution is a primary focus for Nick, who believes BRIMM’s greatest potential lies in creating impactful research and enduring connections between academia and industry. “I don’t want BRIMM to be there for a few years and then disappear,” he emphasizes. “There’s a positive role that BRIMM can play in bringing academia and industry together and solving the problems that need to be solved in mining.” His goals center around three key areas: impactful research, a sustainable operating model, and securing long-term funding. With BRIMM’s operating model still evolving, Nick highlights the importance of constantly striving for efficiency. “We want to be a bit more systematic in some of the processes,” he says, “but without becoming bureaucratic.”

Future funding is central to Nick’s goals for BRIMM. With a solid 10-to-1 multiplier on research funds, BRIMM has effectively turned allocated funds into substantial grants. But Nick sees a pressing need for sustainable funding beyond the next five or six years to ensure BRIMM’s work endures. “We’re adding value with research,” he notes, “but sustainable funding is essential to keep the momentum going.” This careful focus on building long-term financial resilience underscores his strategic approach to BRIMM’s growth and impact.

While he values specific research themes, what excites Nick most is seeing passionate collaboration between academia and industry “Researchers bring ideas, industry identifies new problems, and together they expand and go in a new direction,” he says. “People working together is one of the passions that I have.” Nick’s role as chairman allows him to encourage this unique synergy, ensuring BRIMM remains a nimble, adaptable entity capable of solving mining’s toughest challenges.

Looking ahead, Nick remains dedicated to cultivating an open, collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed. “People seem to listen at BRIMM,” he reflects. “They come with open minds, not with fixed answers, and together, we can move BRIMM forward.”

Find Us On
Social Media

Find Out How Brimm Can Help
With Your Project Needs

Learn More

Sign Up To Our
Newsletter

Sign Up