Bligh unveils QR’s blue-chip board

An experienced blue-chip board that includes former Wesfarmers finance director Gene Tilbrook and Shell Australia chairman Russell Caplan has been named to prepare Queensland-based QR National for its ASX listing.

QR National - the commercial freight arm of Queensland Rail - will be split from the rest of the business from July 1 and listed on the stockmarket by the end of 2010.

QR has a presence in Western Australia through ARG, which hauls minerals and agriculture products throughout the state.

Mr Tilbrook - who is also on the government's National Broadband Network board -, Mr Caplan, former Australia Post chief Graeme John, John Atkin and Andrea Staines will join existing QR Ltd board members, chairman John Prescott, managing director Lance Hockridge, Peter Kenny and Allan Davies.

"The new board of QR National is world-class and will be a foundation block in helping set the business up for future success," Mr Prescott said in a statement.

"It is a strong mix of senior people with operational, technical, legal, financial and industrial experience."

Mr Prescott said an extensive selection and recruitment process had been undertaken to get the best candidates for the QR National board.

"QR National will potentially be a top 50 ASX company and will play a key role in shaping the future of the Australian rail sector," he said.

Premier Anna Bligh said the board appointment was an important milestone.

"It's a huge vote of confidence in the future of QR National that this group of respected business leaders have been prepared to bring their excellent reputations and strong track record of success to support and advise the company in its planned transition to a top ASX-listed company," Ms Bligh said.