The growth in profitability from the core business really underlines the ability of the organization to not only perform strongly during the good times, but also during times of economic uncertainty.
John Hughes, Managing Director, Radio Rentals

Photo/RTO Online

Left to right: Paul Lahiff, Peter Henley, Bernard Carrasco, John Hughes and David Carter.

Radio Rentals, Australia's largest rent-to-own company, is forecasting 18% growth for the company's fiscal year ending in March, 2010.

Download Radio Rentals 2009 Annual Report

Managing director John Hughes said, "The growth in profitability from the core business really underlines the ability of the organization to not only perform strongly during the good times, but also during times of economic uncertainty."

Hughes said the projected profit increase is a result of a combination of factors including increased customer count, consistently low levels of past due accounts and strict cost controls.

Radio Rentals also reports a strong year-over-year increase in the demand for white goods.

Radio Rentals leadership team:

Bernard Carrasco - Chairperson
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed as a director on 3 November 2006.
Bernard Carrasco is a business consultant advising privately owned businesses and is also Chairman of ASX listed Tutt Bryant Group Limited. Bernard's previous positions include Managing Director of Email Metering, Chief Financial Officer and a director of OneSteel Limited, Chief Financial Officer of BHP Steel and a director of Steel and Tube Holdings Limited (New Zealand). Bernard holds qualifications from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, Marseille, France and an MBA, from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is also a former fellow of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants, UK.

John Hughes - CEO and Managing Director
Appointed as a director on 3 November 2006.
Prior to joining the Company, John was Managing Director of ASX listed Ruralco Holdings Limited until its merger with Tasmanian based Roberts Limited in 2006. He was previously Managing Director of Thorn EMI Rentals Australasia ("Thorn") and led the reshaping of that company into a highly successful consumer electronics and financial services organization. Prior to Thorn he was Managing Director of Dominos Pizza Australia and has over 25 years experience as a senior executive in a number of leading Australian and international companies including Sharp Corporation, Competitive Foods and Grace Bros. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

David Carter - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed as a director on 3 November 2006.
David Carter is a lawyer and corporate advisor who was previously a partner of a major international law firm. David has significant experience in corporate, commercial and international law. He is currently a director of VENCorp (the independent Victorian government regulator of gas and electricity transmission systems), and a Director of Property Investment Association of Australia Limited. David holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from Monash University, a Masters of Laws degree from Monash University and a Bachelor of Civil Law degree from Oxford University.

Paul Lahiff - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed as a director on 21 May 2007.
Paul Lahiff has extensive experience in the financial services sector and is currently Managing Director of Mortgage Choice Limited. Prior to Mortgage Choice Paul was Managing Director of Permanent Trustee Limited and has held senior management positions within other major finance organizations including Heritage Building Society and Westpac. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Sydney University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. He is currently a Director of The Cancer Council NSW and has previously been a member of a number of boards including the Trustee Corporations Association of Australia, the Australian Association of Permanent Building Societies, Cashcard Australia Limited, the House with No Steps, in addition to Permanent Trustee and Heritage Building Society.

Peter Henley - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed as a director on 21 May 2007.
Peter Henley has had a long and distinguished career in financial services generally and in consumer and commercial finance in particular, having held senior management positions with AGC, Nissan Finance and most recently GE Money. Peter is a Non-Executive Director of AP Eagers Limited, United Financial Services Group LTD and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. He has also been a Director of GE Motor Solutions Australia and GE Money, Singapore.