Peter Mansell joins Great Southern

Investment manager Great Southern Plantations has boosted its board of directors with the appointment of Peter Mansell as a non-executive director.
Mr Mansell was a former managing partner at Great Southern's law firm Freehills. His current board roles include being chairman of Zinifex and Ferngrove Vineyards Estate and a director of West Australian Newspapers and Bunnings Property Management.
His appointment follows the recent appointment of former Macquarie Bank divisional director David Griffiths as Great Southern's non-executive chairman.
Mr Griffiths told today's AGM that Great Southern would be modifying its capital management strategy.
In particular, he said the company would be looking at new structures that allow for a more favourable refinancing of its loan receivables.
Mr Griffiths added that new investment products in the horticulture and cattle sectors would be able to be funded more flexibly.
"Given these opportunities, Great Southern intends to re-examine its funding mix going forward which is likely to result in it moving away from a policy of no debt (other than TREES issues) to one which allows for a modest level of gearing." Mr Griffiths said.
Managing director John Young told the meeting that timber plantations would remain the company's core product but it would continue to diversify.
It has already launched wine grape and organic olive projects and expects to launch a catle project early next year.