Fusion Fuel Appoints Uranium Pioneer James Passin as Chairman, Names Figueira de Chaves CEO
Fusion Fuel has appointed institutional uranium investor James Passin as Chairman, leveraging his 20-year track record managing over $1 billion in resource portfolios. Frederico Figueira de Chaves, formerly Interim CFO and Chief Strategy Officer since 2024, becomes CEO to drive its uranium royalty platform and Royal Uranium transaction.
1. Leadership Appointments
Fusion Fuel named James Passin Chairman and elevated Frederico Figueira de Chaves to CEO following JP Backwell’s step down as executive chairman and CEO for personal health reasons. Backwell will remain a non-executive director and consultant to support ongoing transactions.
2. Passin’s Uranium Expertise
Passin brings over 20 years of uranium investing experience, directing a $1 billion resource portfolio at Firebird Management and pioneering investments when uranium traded below $8 per pound. The Board expects his strategic vision to accelerate Fusion Fuel’s development of a uranium royalty platform.
3. Figueira de Chaves’ Background
Figueira de Chaves has served in senior roles since 2020, including Chief Financial Officer (June 2020–June 2023), CEO (June 2023–Nov 2024), Chief Strategy Officer (since Nov 2024) and Interim CFO (since Jan 2025), and previously held key positions at UBS AG.
4. Strategic Implications
The new leadership aligns with Fusion Fuel’s plan to build a capital-efficient uranium royalty model and complete its planned Royal Uranium acquisition pending EGM approval, while exploring further growth across energy commodities.