ABOUT

President

BHP Diamonds

Mr Hughson’s career began when he graduated with degrees in civil engineering & mathematics

In 1991, he was appointed President of BHP’s global diamond business.

Between 1991and 2001, Hughson took BHP Diamonds from 2% to 51% marketshare in the global diamond business, eventually overtaking DeBeers – which had been the market leader for over 150 years.

In 2001, BHP Diamonds was valued at $6 billion

While in that position, Hughson became the company’s change agent, responsible for bringing the massive old multi-billion dollar mining company into the internet age

After retiring from BHP Diamonds, Hughson began a new career as a serial entrepreneur.

DeBeers

BHP plays hardball with the market leader

“The world’s number one diversified miner began tackling fierce rival Anglo American-De Beers in the high stakes marketing end of the business” – Business Review Weekly

While selling diamonds online certainly went against BHP’s once stodgy corporate image, the plan was actually part of a broader e-commerce initiative that is focused mainly around minerals and metals marketplaces

Within two years, BHP began to transact all of its business online across minerals, petroleum and steel including buying and selling.

Indeed, the company took a lead role with 14 other mining and metals companies in establishing a global Mining and Metals Procurement Market Place that bought together producers and suppliers in more than 100 countries.

BHP Ekati

World’s 7th largest diamond mine

The BHP Ekati Mine is situated above the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Ekati commenced production in 1998 and became Canada’s first surface and underground diamond mine. Ekati supplied rough diamonds to the global market through its sorting and selling operations in Canada, Belgium, and India.

Since the start of mining, Ekati has produced over 70 million carats  of rough diamonds valued at $8 billion.

In 2013, BHP sold its ownership of Ekati to Dominion Diamond Mines

BHP Billiton’s ownership and technical expertise played a crucial role in establishing Ekati as one of the world’s largest, and most profitable, diamond mines.

Aurias

BHP’s award winning diamond brand

BHP’s diamond output was marketed and sold through its global diamond brand AURIAS

As a subsidiary of BHP, a globally recognized mining and resources company, AURIAS established itself as a trusted global diamond brand, offering exquisite diamonds that embody elegance, quality, and sustainability.

AURIAS won many industry awards due to its dedication to responsible sourcing, and its unique approach to crafting remarkable diamonds.

BHP Diamonds large team of expert gemologists and diamond cutters employed their expertise and experience to ensure that only the finest diamonds were marketed under the AURIAS brand, based on strict criteria such as cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.

Yellow. A Division of Blue

BHP Paints Its Future in Yellow

In January 2000, BHP Billiton established a joint venture with Mr Hughson to create its own brand development entity ‘Yellow. A Division of Blue’.

Mr Hughson held 51% of Yellow shares, with BHP holding 49%. 

‘Yellow. A Division of Blue’ was tasked with establishing strong industry brands for BHP’s core multi-billion dollar mineral divisions – iron ore, copper, nickel, potash, petroleum and metallurgical coal

Hughson was appointed President of ‘Yellow. A Division of Blue’ at its inception, and he held that position, as well as President of BHP Diamonds until he retired from BHP in 2002.

Retirement

after BHP

After his retirement as President of BHP Diamonds in 2002 at the age of 41, Mr Hughson bought a large organic farm in the hinterland of the idylic Australian surfing town of Crescent Head. 

However, instead of taking up many offered board positions at  ASX 200 companies, Mr Hughson started his second career as a serial entrapeneur and venture capitalist.

50 Kaliber Films

Revolutionizing film in advertising

In 2004, Mr Hughson started 50 Kaliber Films with long-time collaborator Dieter Kahsnitz.

It was a company dedicated to providing major corporate customers with video and film production, without having to engage an advertising agency.

Betwee 2004 and 2010, 50 Kaliber Films grew to be one of the largest commercial film production agencies in Australia, with a client list that included BHP, Nike, Mitsubishi, Ford, Seek, IBM, Salesforce, McDonalds, BUPA, MMG and many other ASX 200 companies.

Mr Hughson sold 50 Kaliber Films to Mr Kahsnitz in 2010.

United Pixelworkers

Action films for action brands

In 2013, Mr Hughson started the advertising agency ‘United Pixelworkers’

The agency specialised in representing action brands, and United Pixelworkers has developed a client list of the world’s best action brands including Billabong, Quiksilver, Red Bull, DC Shoes, GoPro, O’Neill, Burton, Porsche, Honda and Yamaha.

Mr Hughson holds the position of CEO of United Pixelworkers

Fresh Hippie

A fresh brand in skincare & accessories

In 2016, Mr Hughson launched Fresh Hippie luxury skincare for the modern woman.

Fresh Hippie’s core skincare formulation has been supplemented with lipsticks, sun care, sunglasses, hair care, cosmetics and perfumes.

Fresh Hippie has developed many unique products, including Fresh Hippie Love Lotion and Fresh Hippie Truffle Oil moisturizer

Fresh Hippie is sold globally through selected premium outlets

Big Ditch

Australia’s Big Dam Builder

In 2017, based on his lifelong interest in sustainable water security, permaculture and aquaculture, Mr Hughson created Big Ditch Dam Building Company.

Since 2017, he has built Big Ditch into the leading global water sercurity construction company and corporate consultancy – working globally in such places as USA, Mexico, Canada, Dubai, UAE, China and Nigeria.

Big Ditch has established itself as a frontrunner in the field of dam construction. With its unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, superior project management, and a strong focus on environmental sustainability, the company has left an indelible mark on the industry.

Big Ditch has won many global awards including Winner / Best Dam Building Company Construction & Engineering Awards London, Winner / Best Water Security Company Australian Enterprise Awards Melbourne, Winner / Best Dam Building Company Australian Enterprise Awards Melbourne, Winner / Dam Builder of the Year International Elite 100 London, Winner / Global Climate Change Innovation Innovation and Excellence Awards London, Winner / Best Global Dam Building Company International M&A Awards New York, Winner / Best Dam Construction Specialists 6th Annual Global Construction and Engineering Awards Singapore.

Gemini Film Group

Creating a market leader in just five years

In 2017, Mr Hughson and a number of film industry investors established Gemini Film Group, and under that corporate banner, Gemini Film Distribution was established in Kyiv Ukraine.

Gemini Film Distribution facilitated the distribution of independent films throughout Europe.

By 2020, Gemini Film Distribution expanded its representation to include offices in London, Paris, Barcelona, New York & Los Angeles.

In January 2020, Gemini Film Distribution was spun off as a separate stand alone business that operates at arms length from Gemini Film Group due to trans-national legal requirements.

By 2021, GFD had become the largest and most successful independent film distributor in Europe, representing over 120 film production companies

Mr Hughson has not had day to day involvement or management oversight of Gemini’s film distribution business ‘Gemini Film Distribution’ since February 2020.

He has held the position of Chairman of Gemini Film Group from 2016 until the present.

Hippie Pharma Partners

Future Pharma Industry Investment Fund

In 2017, Mr Hughson began investing in the nascient Australian medical marijuana industry.

Since that time, he has continued to build his position through companies such as Canna, IHL, Creso and Zelira, and he now holds major positions in the industry.

Since 2022, he and a number of fellow investors in the Hippie Pharma Fund No.2 have invested in the burgeoning alternative therapies industry that includes psilocybin applications for treatment of PTSD and hospice care

xBrands

New Media for the new millenium

In 2018, Mr Hughson established xBrands

xBrands is the international holding company for WGCZ Media Group, xFilms Syndication, Gemini Film Group, The Beau Pleasureman Group, SexLuv Records, and Pretty Pictures Intellectual Properties Inc

xBrands is based in Prague in the Czech Republic, and it operates significant new media interests worldwide

United Pixel Capital Partners LLC

Independent film funding ventures

United Pixel Capital Partners was established in the Cayman Islands in 2020.

United Pixel is a private film industry investment fund designed to provide seed funding to breakthrough creative film projects.

United Pixel manages funds exclusively for high net worth, wholesale, and sophisticated investors wishing to invest in the film industry, an asset class that offers high growth but requires a specialist fund manager.

Mr Hughson established United Pixel Capital Partners with $1m in seed funding 

In 2021, Arundai Grunchfeld of xFilms Syndication and Matt Perry of Gemini Film Distribution were appointed co-managing partners with Mr Hughson

Since 2020, United Pixel has added another five managing partners, all with deep film industry experience in independent film production.

United Pixel now has $28m invested in independent film projects 

Professional Forex, Commodities & Bitcoin Trader

The World of Advanced Pattern Recognition

After a long career in the mining industry, Mr Hughson was able to understand the large super cycles of the resources industry.

Since 2004, he has been a professional trader focussing on two markets – foreign currency pairs, commodities – and since 2017 he has also traded crypto currencies.

His best single trading day was $148,600 in gains. This occured when he shorted Bitcoin at 68,783 and exited the trade at 31,371 on 21 January 2022. 

Mr Hughson moved to Belize in April 2023 for the specific purpose of being in the same time zone as the New York Stock Exchange. For 3 months of every year, he lives on his fully customised 60 foot houseboat ‘Offshore Trader’ moored at Ambergris Caye in Belize.

Published author

Transferring knowledge

In the world of dam design and construction, Lindsey Angus Hughson has emerged as a prominent global figure, making significant contributions to the field through his extensive knowledge and expertise.

Since 2020, Lindsey has published a remarkable total of nine books, each delving deep into various aspects of dam design, construction techniques, and the associated challenges and solutions.

With a passion for engineering and a commitment to advancing the field, Lindsey’s publications have become valuable resources for engineers, researchers, and industry professionals seeking comprehensive insights into the intricacies of dam engineering.

Big Tools

Launching a category killer

In late 2023, Mr Hughson will launch Big Tools in Australia, and take on the category leaders Bunnings, Total Tools and Sydney Tools.

Unlike Bunnings, Total Tools and Sydney Tools, Big Tools will only have an online presence, saving millions of dollars in real estate, rent, fitout and staffing costs – and passing those savings on to consumers.

Mr Hughson and his investment partners say that their comparative cost price points will be 50 to 70% below the price points of the main players, and in association with exclusive courier partner Australia Post, Big Tools will guarantee next day delivery to the customers job site or home. 

W.E.T Partners

Elite management for digital creators

In March 2024, Mr Hughson, along with agency veteran Jo McKee launched Worldwide Entertainment + Talent to provide high-growth digital creators with premium management, representation & artist development services.

Worldwide Entertainment + Talent proudly stands at the forefront of the digital entertainment revolution, setting the gold standard for creator agencies.

WET Partners have a steadfast commitment to professionalism, innovation, and excellence, and they have carved a unique niche in the dynamic landscape of content creation, offering unparalleled services such as proprietary content acceleration to a diverse array of talents globally.