On the move

Zipfinger succeeds Gillard at Aspen

Non-executive director Frank Zipfinger will succeed Reg Gillard (pictured) as chairman of Aspen Group. Mr Gillard joined the property development and funds management group as its founding chairman 10 years ago and steered the group through the GFC. He is the non-executive chairman of Perseus Mining, and will remain on the Aspen board as a non-executive director until a new director is searched out. Mr Zipfinger is currently a non-executive director of Galileo Japan Trust and a director of the Melbourne Business School.

Kopejtka quits Murchison

Murchison Metals non-executive director Paul Kopejtka has left the company’s board, less than four months after stepping down from the role of executive chairman. Murchison gave no reason for his departure. Mr Kopejtka was founding chairman since the company’s listing in 2005, and stepped down this July after a board shake-up in May. At that time, new directors Peter Waso, Samantha Tough, current managing director Greg Martin and current chairman Ken Scott-Mackenzie joined the board. Murchison revealed in July that the cost of its half-owned Oakajee port and rail development had blown out to $5.94 billion.

Satchwell heads UWA mining centre

Ian Satchwell has been appointed as interim director of a new International Mining for Development Centre, which will have its administrative home at the University of Western Australia. The joint venture between UWA and the University of Queensland is funded by AusAID and aimed at facilitating greater prosperity for developing nations. Mr Satchwell is currently president of the Australia Indonesia Business Council and also sits on the board of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.