Meet the Como Engineers team

Como Engineers employs a team of experienced metallurgists, engineers, construction supervisors and drafts-people which enables us to offer a complete process and engineering service. We are able to supply services from metallurgical testing through to scoping and definitive feasibility studies as well as detailed engineering design to project construction and commissioning.

Richard Ladyman

Executive Chairman

Richard is a Mechanical Engineer with over 45 years of experience in the minerals industry and a founding member of Como Engineers in 1986. He is currently the Executive Chairman of the company and still actively involved as part of the Como Engineers Senior Management group for both Technical and Management activities. Richard has been instrumentalto the evaluation, design, construction and operation of many mining & mineral processing operations. Richard’s expertise is widely called upon for assistance with both new and existing operations.

Grant Blakeman

Managing Director

Grant joined Como Engineers in June 2007, having emigrated from South Africa. Grant has been the Project manager on a number of design, construction and refurbishment projects, as well as having involvement across a broad array of scoping, feasibility and definitive feasibility studies. Projects have included brownfields and greenfields sites in gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, zinc and lithium. He has direct experience in both greenfield and brownfield projects, including projects ranging from under $1M and up to $100M. Grant became Managing Director of Como Engineers in 2018

Martin Smith

General Manager – Projects and Engineering

Martin is a qualified mechatronics engineer and seasoned project manager with over 25 years experience. He has extensive experience in the mining industry, with onsite project management, project engineering, equipment design experience, and management of scoping through to definitive feasibility studies. Martin also conducts valuations, due diligence and other studies for clients. Martin works closely with the Jakarta office (PT Como Engineers) to develop projects in Indonesia and South East Asia.

Amy Zheng

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Amy is a qualified Chartered Accountant with significant experience in dealing with local and multinational , listed and non-listed entities across various inducstry sectors. Amy has gained practical experience in international, Australian, Irish, UK and US accounting standards and has listed public company experience in both Australia and Ireland.

Skills and specialities include:
Stautory audits
Financial statements and tax strategies
Budgeting and Forecasting
Constructing, implementing and monitoring reliable control systems
Due diligence reports
HR and payroll

Amy is also bilingual fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Robert Gobert

Process and Studies Manager

Rob is a Process Engineer with over 28 years of experience in the minerals industry, with the past 15 years at Senior Technical and Management level.

He is skilled in the development and delivery of studies from scoping level through to design and construction across a range of different mineral commodities.

Specific areas of expertise include Capex and Opex estimation, process equipment selection and sizing, flowsheet development, process modelling, process optimisation and plant commissioning.

Prasad Vannemreddy

Engineering Manager

Prasad is a mechanical engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the Mining and Metals, Oil and Gas, Power, Fertilizer and Water Treatment industries. His strengths lie in his vast on-field experience in construction and commissioning works and his ability to manage engineering design offices. Prasad’s expertise includes the management of Studies, FEED, Detailed Design, Procurement of OEM and fabrication packages, as well as the Construction and Commissioning of Process and Non-Process Infrastructure projects.

He has worked in both EPCM and EPC project environments.

Daniel Augustine

Manager – Works and Spares

Dan has over 20 years experience gained in the design and development of mining projects in both Australia and overseas.

Dan manages the Como Engineers Maddington workshop, spares and equipment supply department.

This entails the co ordination and management of the onsite workforce for the fabrication of Como Engineers gold elution plants and special projects as well as equipment supply logistical support.

Dan works closely with the Perth and Jakarta offices of Como Engineers, providing design reviews, fabrication best practice and ensuring client project needs are met in a timely manner.

Laurie Cranston

Business Development Manager

Laurie is a qualified Metallurgist with over 30 years experience in the Mining and Resources sector.

He has a strong background in the consulting and engineering services industries, with an intimate knowledge of the engineering and resources sectors.

Laurie is the first port of call for clients looking to engage with Como Engineers.

Laos Lagoudis

Commercial Manager

Laos is a collaborative commercial and project leader with more than 25 years of experience in capital projects across the infrastructure, mineral processing, and oil & gas sectors in Australia, Africa and the Middle East. His diverse background spanning management consulting, financial services, not‑for‑profit organisations, and the resources industry enables him to drive focused growth initiatives at the intersection of commercial strategy, contract negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and executive facilitation. He brings a strong relationship‑centred approach, leveraging long‑standing networks to create momentum and unlock value.

Peter Konchenko

Manager – Proiects

Peter has over 15 years of project delivery experience across LNG, mining and heavy industry, leading complex brownfield and greenfield projects from early execution planning through construction, commissioning and handover.

Peter is passionate about building high-performing project teams and fostering a positive project culture that drives safe, efficient and accountable delivery outcomes. He adopts a collaborative leadership style, ensuring clear communication, alignment of expectations and strong engagement across clients, contractors and project stakeholders.

His expertise includes leading large multi-discipline project delivery teams, managing project execution strategies, contractor coordination, procurement and construction activities, and maintaining focus on schedule, cost and operational readiness outcomes.

Peter has a strong track record of stabilising projects that are behind schedule or over budget, implementing practical recovery strategies and restoring alignment with client objectives and delivery milestones.

Michael Wagstaff

Marketing and Brand Development Manager

Michael is responsible for shaping and strengthening the Como Engineers brand and strategic positioning, aligning the company’s technical expertise with clear, consistent messaging across all markets and touchpoints.

He has over 15 years’ experience driving business growth across APAC, with a strong focus on Engineering and industrial sectors. Michael brings extensive experience in commercial strategy, business development, marketing and client engagement, with a proven ability to build long-term partnerships and support major project delivery outcomes.

At Como Engineers, Michael works across brand positioning, marketing, bids and tenders, and strategic business initiatives, supporting the company’s continued growth across Australian and international markets.

Leadership Team