Optiscan appoints new chairman

A new chairman with science and manufacturing experience is to head the board of Optiscan (ASX: OIL).

Retiring chairman Prof Ray Martin announced yesterday that he would hand the reins to Grant Latta at the company's next board meeting on August 20.

Martin told the board in March he would retire once a new chairman with high-level commercial experience was found. He said Latta fit the bill, enabling him to lead Optiscan through its current phase of commercialisation of its flexible and rigid confocal microscopes.

"The appointment of Mr Latta is part of the company's strategy to strengthen its commercial expertise and maximise the business opportunities which can be captured from its strong technology base," Martin said.

Latta spent six years as managing director of Pacific Dunlop's Industrial, Foam and Fibre Group and a subsequent four years heading its Food Operations Group.

He has also acted as director for a range of public and private companies including Vision Systems, Ricegrowers Cooperative, Food Science Australia and Export Finance and Insurance Corporation.

Latta is executive chairman of investment management company GCMCorp and chairman of the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

"Mr Latta has had extensive experience in establishing and managing product development and commercialisation programs, particularly in his roles at Vision Systems and the Grains Research and Development Corporation," Martin said.

"He also brings with him extensive experience in overseas markets and in the financial management of technology related businesses."

Martin said he would stay on as a director before retiring from the board at Optiscan's Annual General Meeting in November.

A director of Optiscan since February 1997, Martin was formerly vice-chancellor of Monash University and a foundation member of the Prime Minister's Science Council. He was named an Officer of the Order of Australian in 1987.