The Gold Coast SUNS have welcomed new director’s Simon Bennett and Martin Rowland to the board.

GC SUNS Chairman Tony Cochrane announced the appointments during his pre-match address in the Chairman’s Club on Saturday evening.

Simon was admitted as a Solicitor in 1993 after obtaining an Honours Degree in Law from Bond University. Simon joined OMB Solicitors in 1996 as an Associate and then became a Partner of the firm in 1999.

He is a QLS Accredited Specialist in Property Law and also specialises in Commercial Leasing including providing structuring advice, drafting all forms of contracts and agreements.

Simon was elected as the Gold Coast Ambassador from 2002 to 2004, is the chairman of The Southport School (TSS) Audit and Risk Committee and former chairman of the Gold Coast Community Fund.

Martin has been self-employed since the age of 22 when he started a civil construction company in Melbourne. Originally focussed in building backbone infrastructure in the telecommunication sector, Martin’s business expanded into other utility sectors.

Also involved in the sale and acquisition of numerous companies in recent times, Martin’s concentration has turned to investing in small medium enterprise start-ups and established businesses requiring capital and management expertise.

Having been involved with the GC SUNS as a sponsor and corporate member since its inception, Martin’s business experience has seen him work on unique projects within Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hawaii.

Simon and Martin replace Janelle Manders and Bob Gordon who retired from their positions as directors at the club’s April board meeting.