Flinders University Council is pleased to announce the appointment of eminent company director and lawyer, Mr Stephen Gerlach AM to the position of Chancellor.
Currently Chairman of Elders and recently retired as Chairman of Santos Ltd, Mr Gerlach will succeed former State Governor Sir Eric Neal AC CVO, who steps down on February 28 after eight years in the role.
Sir Eric said he was delighted that Mr Gerlach had accepted the appointment.
“Stephen Gerlach has had a wide ranging and distinguished career in the corporate sector with both South Australian and national companies,” Sir Eric said.
“We believe that he will bring to the position of Chancellor a sound understanding of governance, strong leadership skills and experience, together with a demonstrated belief in the capacity of South Australian organisations to forge successful national and international roles. He enjoys a high profile and professional standing within this state, nationally and in the Asian region,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Barber also welcomed Mr Gerlach’s appointment.
“It is very gratifying that a person of Mr Gerlach’s reputation and community standing is prepared to lead the University Council at such an exciting time in the history of Flinders University,” Professor Barber said.
“In particular, Mr Gerlach’s counsel and experience will be invaluable to achieving our commitment to connect more strongly with the ‘new South Australia’,” he said.
Mr Gerlach said that it was a great honour to be appointed Chancellor to succeed Sir Eric Neal.
“Flinders University is an important educational institution in South Australia and plays a significant role in both the State’s and, more broadly, Australia’s education focus,” Mr Gerlach said.
“I look forward to making a contribution as Chancellor to the University’s future development and success,” he said.
Stephen Gerlach was Chairman for eight of his twenty years as a Director of Santos Ltd until his retirement in December 2009. He is Chairman of Elders Ltd (formerly Futuris Corporation Ltd) from which he has announced his intention to retire during 2010.
He was formerly the Chairman of Equatorial Mining Ltd, Elders Australia Ltd, Challenger Listed Investments Limited, Amdel Ltd and Penrice Ltd and a director of a number of other public companies including Southcorp Ltd, Brunner Mond Holdings Ltd (UK) and Elders Rural Bank.
Stephen Gerlach was a partner of the Adelaide legal firm Finlaysons for 23 years and its Managing Partner from 1985 to 1991.
He has also been actively involved in a number of community and professional associations and is at the present time a member of the AICD and a member of the Corporate Governance Committee. He is currently a Trustee of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, Chairman of Foodbank South Australia Inc and a Director of Foodbank Australia Ltd.