forgotten link missing now in the saddle?

I recall that Chris Sadler arrived at ESG with some fanfare and expectation from HCopperites, and apart from occasional questions as to his whereabouts, has slipped largely from sight. (oxymoron?)

Just like a good sports umpire, the effective M & A supremo should be whittling away in the background, unobtrusively chalking up milestones for which his larger than life Chairman & CEO will happily take the kudos.

Where has Chris Sadler been then? (forgive me if I go over ground covered previously by others)

Apart from Austock where he currently is a Non Exec Director, keeping his talons sharp, and some posts with NFP Charities, he was around. He attended 12 of 13 Board meetings (Ann Report) but drew a miserly $60K, AND paid his own super. He appears to hold no shares in ESG.

Is the 60 gees simply a retainer to keep him on call for when the big push comes to a shove?

With recent commentary on the buying in ESG by Deutsch Bank and JP Morgan, it is interesting to note that in his 20 years in investment banking, Sadler became MD at DB, and distinguished himself at JP's as well.

But I hadn't realised how well! We have to go back to October 1997 to be reminded (or discover), that US utility GPU paid an "excessive $2.55 billion for monopoly transmission company Powernet Victoria". - Crikey.com

Who advised GPU? JP Morgan’s Chris Sadler, that's who.

So Chris has either lost his touch since then, or he's still trying to pick up the pace of the modern game.

Then there is the thought that rather than ESG inviting him on the Board, Santos put him there.

Worst case of all of course would be that Chris has confused us ESG shareholders with his all important charity work. Explains why we feel GIVEN AWAY.

But in all seriousness because I must go, I think soon enough he'll have earned his money, and we a premium of sorts.

As excessive as 1997's? Probably not.