INFRASTRUCTURE technology group ShieldLiner Ltd is looking to the future with the appointment of Jim McDonald as a non-executive chairman of the company. Shieldliner managing director John Hassen said attracting someone of Mr McDonald’s background and experience to the small Perth-based technology company was a real coup. “We are delighted Jim is joining us as we have been looking for some time to add to our board a highly regarded director with relevant industry experience and excellent commercial, financial and government contacts,” he said. Mr McDonald retired as managing director and chief executive of Australian Pipeline Trust in June 2005, having been appointed to those positions on the spin-out of the trust from the Australian Gas Light Company in 2000. Before that appointment, Mr McDonald held various senior managerial roles at AGL and, between 1972 and 1986, was employed by Esso Australia Ltd. Subject to shareholder approval, ShieldLiner will grant 300,000 options to Mr McDonald to acquire 300,000 fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of the company.