Gunns Management Team comprises an experienced executive representative of our main business divisions.
Mr Gay has been a Director of the Company since 1986 and was last re-elected in 2009. He has overseen the development of the group as Managing Director throughout this period. Mr Gay has substantial knowledge of the forestry and manufacturing industries gained through over 30 years experience in management of the group.
Mr L’Estrange has been involved within the timber industry for over 20 years working for Boral Timber and CSR Timber Products. The last role was as CEO of CSR Timber, with assets of $1 billion operating throughout Australia and New Zealand, leading the turnaround of that business and the sale process that enabled CSR to exit its entire holding. This process far exceeded the market’s expectation. He previously held the position of managing director of Capral Aluminium from 2000 to 2004.
Mr Chapman was appointed to the position of Company Secretary in 1997. He joined the company in 1994 and worked in various accounting roles and positions before being appointed to the position of Company Secretary. He has previous experience in finance and secretarial roles. Mr Chapman is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.
Mr Baker is Executive Director of GPL. He has been responsible for overseeing the development of the Gunns Managed Investment Scheme Project. Mr Baker is also General Manager – Bell Bay Pulp Mill Project. Mr Baker has extensive experience in the forestry industry. He is a qualified forester and has been employed in the sector since 1978 being actively involved in the management and development of both hardwood and softwood forestry businesses.
Mr Blanden has considerable managerial experience operating managed investment schemes. He has overseen the development of the full list of Gunns Plantations Ltd’s managed investment schemes since inception in 1999. In addition, Ian is responsible for overseeing Gunns Ltd’s plantation establishment and maintenance operations in both Tasmania and NSW and as such has been responsible for the establishment of in excess of 20,000 hectares of plantation per annum, the maintenance of an estate of over 145,000 hectares of plantation, over 200 hectares of vineyard and 1200 hectares of walnut orchard. Mr Blanden has over 20 years experience in the forest industry and has a degree in forest science from the ANU. Mr Blanden is Director of the Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group (TAPG).
Mr Hayes is responsible for forest operations, wood fibre production and sales in northwest and southern Tasmania, including the Fibre Technology facility at Ridgley and pine operations in the northwest. He has a Bachelor of Business from UTAS and has worked in the Tasmanian forestry industry for 36 years.
Mr Legro is a Chartered Accountant with pre Gunns experience both in Australia and overseas in professional management of distressed business in the retail, agribusiness and manufacturing sectors. He held the role of Group Accountant with Gunns prior to his current role which encompasses full responsibility for managing Gunns Retail Division. Mr Legro has formal qualifications in Financial Administration and Business Studies.
Mr Roberts has been General Manager of Hinman Wright & Manser, the construction division of Gunns Limited, since 1989. Prior to this Alan was the Tasmanian Manager of the Danish international construction company Christiani & Nielsen; and for 18 years Managing Director of Construct (Tasmania) Pty Ltd. He has extensive experience in the construction industry having overseen projects ranging across the broad spectrum of building and construction. Mr Roberts has controlled the construction of major infrastructure projects, large industrial developments, commercial multi-storey structures, medical, educational and sporting facilities and marine structures across the state. Mr Roberts is the immediate past President of the Master Builders Association of Northern Tasmania.
Dr Pirie is widely known as one of the pioneers of the modern Tasmanian wine industry. Dr Pirie graduated from Sydney University in 1971 with a Master of Agricultural Science and has a PhD in vine physiology. Dr Pirie was previously Managing Director and Chief Winemaker of Piper’s Brook Vineyard. Dr Pirie established Piper’s Brook Vineyard in Tasmania with his brother in 1974 and sold the business to the Belgian company Kreglinger in October 2001. He has previously been awarded the Australian Gourmet Traveller/Qantas Winemaker of the Year in both 2002 and 2003 and in January 2000 he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) medal for his contribution to the wine and tourism industries in Tasmania. Dr Pirie has been Chief Executive Officer of Tamar Ridge Estates since 2005.
Mr Frame is currently Corporate Relations & Sustainability Manager for Gunns Limited, responsible for key corporate communications focussing on strategy, key public concerns, stakeholder engagement, regulatory and compliance requirements to effect responsible environmental and sustainable business management. Mr Frame has also overseen environmental management for the Bell Bay Pulp Mill in relation to key environmental, social and economic assessment. Mr Frame has extensive experience in the forestry industry. He is a qualified forester and economist and has been employed in the sector since 1995.
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