Jim Varas Casanga

Led all finance activities of the holding and its subsidiaries, including debt financing, treasury, tax, controlling, accounting, and investing operations. Led a team of 30 individuals and partnering with business leaders to drive results; Led the search, analysis and execution of new investment opportunities, company acquisitions, and business associations; Worked on the development of a new strategy, organizational structure, and investment framework for the holding. Tánica is one of Chile’s leading family offices and controlled by the Schiess family.

Reinforced Mantos capital base, structured debt financing options for the development of its projects in the country and successfully sold the company to Capstone Mining for c.US$1.3bn. Mantos Copper was a private equity backed mining company

* Secured US$275m cash investment by Japan-based Mitsubishi Materials in exchange of a 30% interest in Mantoverde mine
* Secured US$847m financing for the expansion of the Mantoverde operation and US$250m financing for the expansion of the Mantos Blancos operation. Closing Facility, Royalty and Stream agreements
* Structured US$15m VAT facility with local banks and hedged FX exposure of the project
* Led corporate reorganization effort to split Mantos Copper into two standalone legal entities
* Organized and managed third-party due diligence of the assets
* Participated in the structuring of Engineering and Procurement contracts & long term offtake agreements
* Board Secretary

EXOR is one of Europe’s leading investment companies with assets of $27bn and controlled by the Agnelli family

* Responsible for investing as well as monitoring the portfolio of the holding, supporting management in the search and analysis of new investment ideas, capital allocation and execution of company acquisitions and disposals
* Sourced investment ideas and worked on selected financial transactions in the business services, financial and industrial sectors (SGS, Cushman & Wakefield, Ferrari, BTG Pactual and other undisclosed transactions)
* Worked closely with portfolio company management teams on key strategic issues and supported EXOR board members in SGS, Cushman & Wakefield, Sequana, Banca Leonardo and The Economist
* Represented EXOR at the board of Boston Millennia Partners. Boston Millennia Partners provides private equity financing to high growth companies in the healthcare and life sciences industry

Completed an operational experience of 2 years with Fiat Chrysler in the US as Director/Head of North America Financial Planning & Analysis, which key responsibilities included:
* Directing and overseeing budget and business planning operations for FCA’s operations in North America ($76bn of revenue and $6bn of earnings before interest and taxes, representing over 90% of FCA’s overall profitability)
* Controlling of IT, Healthcare, Benefits and Corporate G&A expenditure (over $3bn of annual spending)
* Supporting leadership and partnering with operating groups to drive results
* Leading a team of 53 people, and working cross-functionally and cross-regionally with the entire organization