CHAIRMAN RETIREMENT
Gunns Limited’s Chairman Mr John Gay has announced today that he will retire from the Board of Gunns Limited, Southern Star Corporation Limited and all related subsidiary companies effective immediately.
Mr Gay commenced his career with Gunns in 1973, was appointed General Manager in 1982, Managing Director of Gunns Limited in 1986 and Chairman of Gunns Limited in 2002.
The Board and Management wish to thank Mr Gay for his many years of dedication and commitment to Gunns and his substantial contribution over that time.
Mr Gay was instrumental in the rationalisation of the Tasmanian Timber Industry and developing Gunns into a world class sustainable forestry enterprise.
Mr Chris Newman will be replacing Mr Gay as Chairman of Gunns Limited and Southern Star Corporation with Mr David Simmons, Deputy Chairman.
Mr Newman was appointed a director of Gunns Limited in 2001. He is also a director of Austereo Limited, Worldwide Entertainment Limited and Webjet Limited.
Mr Simmons was appointed a director of Gunns Limited in 2009. He is also a director of Codan Limited and was previously Managing Director of Hills Industries Limited for 16 years.
Retirement of John Gay
The Premier, David Bartlett, has today acknowledged the long and distinguished career of Gunns Limited’s outgoing Chairman, John Gay.
“John Gay is a truly dedicated Tasmanian who turned a small business into a major national company, and one of Tasmania’s largest employers,” Mr Bartlett said.
“He has made a massive contribution to Tasmania’s forestry industry, and has always had the State’s economic interests at heart.
“Mr Gay has played a major role in developing a modern forest industry, not least in his vision for an environmentally-sustainable pulp mill in northern Tasmania.
“The State Government will continue to work with Gunns’ new leadership team, to help it realise the pulp mill project,” Mr Bartlett said.
Will Hodgman
On behalf of the State Opposition, I acknowledge the enormous contribution John Gay has made to Tasmania, as he announces his retirement as Chairman of Gunns Limited, Southern Star Corporation and associated companies.
John Gay has been a champion of developing forestry as a renewable, sustainable industry. In his 37 years’ with Gunns, John showed extraordinary business acumen, and an unending commitment to creating local jobs.
During his time as General Manager and later Chairman, Gunns grew from a local hardware business into one of the largest diverse forestry companies in the nation.
I hope that his vision of a world-class pulp mill at Longreach comes to fruition because it would provide long-term, local jobs and a value-adding process to the industry.
I wish John and his family all the very best for the future, and am sure we will see his finely honed business skills in evidence in other areas.
Tribute to John Gay
Opposition Spokesman for Forestry, and Tasmanian Liberal Senator, Richard Colbeck has paid tribute to John Gay who announced today he will retire as chairman of Gunns Limited, Southern Star Corporation and related subsidiary companies.
“Mr Gay was dedicated to creating local jobs and to developing a robust, world-leading forest industry here in Tasmania,” Senator Colbeck said.
“Throughout his time with Gunns, he demonstrated unwavering commitment to our State and his loyalty to doing business in Tasmania was most admirable.
“Mr Gay grew a small hardware business into a multi-million dollar company, and this personal career success translated to make a tremendous contribution to Tasmania’s economy.
“I wish Mr Gay and his family all the best for the future.”
Andrew Darby, Age, Saturday,
Gunns Shares rocket (includes ONLINE POLL):
Gunns shares soared after chairman John Gay finally capitulated to shareholders last night, quitting all posts and raising deep doubts that his company’s controversial Tasmanian pulp mill will be built. Read more HERE
SMH,AAP Saturday:
Pulp mill future in serious doubt
PATRICK CARUANA
May 28, 2010 – 3:54PM
AAP
Gunns chairman John Gay’s retirement has plunged the future of the controversial pulp mill proposal into serious doubt. Read more HERE
