The appointment of Neil Balnaves to the Board of Southern Cross Broadcasting has increased the number of directors to eight, after the recent takeover of Australia’s largest independent production house, Southern Star Group Limited.

He will join six non-executive directors and Managing Director, Tony Bell.

Southern Cross Chairman, John Dahlsen, says Balnaves will become a director of the company, effective immediately, after being Executive Chairman of Southern Star.

“Neil Balnaves has agreed to continue to manage the Southern Star business and accept a position on the Board of Southern Cross Broadcasting. The Board is delighted he will continue to drive the growth of Southern Star as an Executive Director of Southern Cross Broadcasting.”

Balnaves was a founding shareholder of Southern Star and has worked in the entertainment and media industries for more than 37 years. He is the Chairman of Macquarie Leisure Management Limited and Macquarie Leisure Operations Limited, and a director of Bond University Limited and Technicolor Pty Ltd. Previously, he was Managing Director of Hanna Barbera Australia and The Hamlyn Group, and Chairman of Australia’s Wonderland.