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THE chairman of Aspen Group, which operates a successful nationwide
chain of caravan parks, is quitting.
Reg Gillard has announced he will hand over the reins to non-executive
director Frank Zipfinger, who joined the Aspen board in January this year,
at the group's annual general meeting on November 28.
Mr Gillard, who joined the Aspen Group as founding chairman in 2001, said
that having steered the group through the global financial crisis, it was
an appropriate time to step down.
"It has been both a rewarding and challenging decade, highlighted by
periods of rapid growth as well as financial consolidation," he said in a
statement.
Group managing director Gavin Hawkins paid tribute to Mr Gillard, saying:
"Reg has provided outstanding leadership and guidance for our board,
executive management team and employees, bringing a high level of
integrity and experience to the role. He has been a tremendous leader and
trusted adviser for everyone at Aspen Group."
Mr Gillard will remain a non-executive director until the board makes a
further appointment.
The statement said Mr Zipfinger would bring "vast experience and
commercial acumen" to the chairmanship.
He was a previous chairman of the Mallesons Stephen Jaques (Sydney) board
and a managing partner and board member of the firm at various times since
1992.
Mr Zipfinger is currently a non-executive director of listed Galileo Japan
Trust, a director of the Melbourne Business School and a director in
several non-profit organisations.
Earlier this year Mr Gillard poured praise on the group's Aspen Parks
division which achieved the highest rating possible from stock broking and
financial research company Lonsec Limited.
The news came as the unlisted property fund, which has a network of parks
in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and
Queensland, celebrated its seventh anniversary.
Lonsec has rated the fund for several years but elevated it to 'Highly
Recommended', its highest rating standard.
The go-ahead Aspen Parks was formed in 2004 to acquire and manage high
class tourist caravan parks and resorts worth at least $150 million within
a five-year time frame.
But its growth was phenomenal and the target was smashed within three
years, its assets now topping $260 million.
