Michael Scherb
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Founder & CEO
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Michael Scherb is a leading businessman, private equity investor, and philanthropist.
He is the founder and CEO of Appian Capital Advisory LLP, the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private equity funds that invest solely in mining and mining-related companies. Michael serves as Chairman of Appian’s Investment Committee and is the founder of the Appian Way Charitable Foundation.
Since setting up Appian in 2012, Michael has developed the company into one of the largest and most successful private equity players in the metals and mining sector. Today, Appian manages ~$5 billion for institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, family offices and pension funds, with over 6,000 employees across its portfolio in locations across the globe. In October 2025, Appian partnered with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation in a new US$1 billion critical minerals and metals fund for emerging markets.
Born in Taiwan to Singaporean and Austrian parents, Michael moved to the US as a child and has also lived in Germany, China, France, Italy and the UK. He began his career structuring foreign investment into China before joining J.P. Morgan in 2007. As part of the Metals and Mining team, Scherb gained valuable experience of the mining sector, advising on some of the industry’s highest-profile deals and the largest IPOs in London.
After working at J.P. Morgan for five years, Michael left to set up Appian when he was just 29 years old.
Mining Journal named Michael as one of the 10 most influential people in mining in 2021, and also recognised him in its 2023 and 2025 lists, while Financial News has voted him one of the 'Top 40 under 40 Private Equity Leaders'.
His philanthropic activities are focused on the Appian Way Charitable Foundation, Appian’s philanthropic vehicle. The charity seeks to contribute to the health and equal education of children in the communities and principal regions into which Appian invests.
The Record
Background
-
2012 — Present
Founder & CEO
Appian Capital Advisory LLP
Appian is a leading private equity firm in metals and mining, focusing on commodities powering the energy transition. With a track record of optimising its portfolio companies, Appian invests in assets building critical minerals supply, including downstream projects such as processing and battery recycling facilities. Appian’s global team of 85+ professionals operate in 10+ international offices.
-
2007 — 2012
Investment banker, Metals & Mining Division
J.P. Morgan
J.P. Morgan is a world-leading financial services firm and has operated in Europe for almost 200 years. Their London office is the headquarters for the EMEA region, and is acknowledged to be one of the top financial institutions in the UK.
In The News
Newsfeed
-
14 May 2026 · Bloomberg
Appian Buys Namibia Copper Project Eyeing $400 Million Mine
Read more -
15 April 2026 · Mining.com
Appian appoints Paulo Castellari as CEO of critical minerals unit
Read more -
26 February 2026 · The Economist
America’s new era of state-sponsored mining
Read more -
21 January 2026 · Bloomberg
Critical Mineral Firm Weighs Plan to Build US Rare Earth Plant
Read more -
18 December 2025 · Mining Journal
Mining Journal's Most Influential List 2025
Read more -
3 December 2025 · Mining.com
Appian backs Atlantic Group’s Barrick mine buyout with $150M funding
Read more -
10 November 2025 · Reuters
Sibanye, Appian Capital reach $215 million settlement over cancelled Brazil mines deal
Read more -
10 November 2025 · Bloomberg
Sibanye Gains After $215 Million Deal to Settle Appian Spat
Read more -
22 October 2025 · Bloomberg
IFC Teams Up with Appian Capital for $1 Billion Mining Blitz
Read more -
21 October 2025 · Reuters
IFC, Appian launch $1 billion critical minerals fund in Africa, Latam
Read more -
21 October 2025 · Financial Times
Private equity spies opportunity from states’ push to secure critical minerals
Read more -
24 September 2025 · Mining.com
Appian sells polymetallic royalty, silver stream to Versamet
Read more -
22 July 2025 · Mining Journal
Appian provides US$450M Cariboo loan
Read more -
6 July 2025 · Financial Times
China snaps up mines around the world in rush to secure resources
Read more -
27 June 2025 · Mining Weekly
Atlantic Strategic Minerals starts commercial production at Virginia operations
Read more -
17 June 2025 · Mining Weekly
Appian appoints former Newmont COO as senior operating partner
Read more -
2 April 2025 · Mining.com
Appian completes $420M Brazil copper mine sale to Chinese group
Read more -
28 February 2025 · The Northern Miner
Is private equity the solution to funding shortfalls?
Read more -
14 October 2024 · Miningmx
Appian Capital to claim at least $600m from Sibanye-Stillwater
Read more -
7 October 2024
Refectory of San Marco Museum reopens
Read more -
21 February 2024 · Financial Times
UK should ease rules to win back mining sector listings, says private equity boss
Read more -
21 February 2024 · The Standard
Dominic Raab heads into the City with appointment at Appian Capital
Read more -
14 December 2023 · Mining Journal
Mining Journal's Most Influential list 2023
Read more -
3 November 2023 · Mining Weekly
Appian picks up US mineral sands assets from Illuka
Read more -
30 October 2023
Appian invests in US graphite-focused firm Urbix
Read more -
9 October 2023 · BNN Bloomberg
Mining-Focused Buyout Firm Appian Raises $2 Billion for New Fund
Read more -
27 June 2023
Appian Capital to return Namibia’s Rosh Pinah zinc mine to its former glory
Read more -
14 June 2023
Appian seeks location for Brazil graphite processing
Read more -
12 June 2023
ACG pays $1 billion in Brazilian battery metals deal
Read more -
19 May 2023
Appian poised for energy transition bonanza
Read more -
15 December 2022
Altamin and Appian ramp up development of Gorno zinc asset
Read more -
22 November 2022
Michael Scherb: Opportunities Galore in Mining for Those with Long Investment Horizons
Read more
Formative Years
Education
-
European School of Economics
MSc Business Management: Finance
2004 — 2005
-
University of Kent
BBA (Hons) International Business
1999 — 2002
-
Frankfurt International School
Areas Of Focus