A new team charged with changing the face of the old base lands took up their posts yesterday as Premier David Saul said the lands offer Bermuda a golden opportunity.

The 14-strong board of directors of the Bermuda Land Development Company has now been appointed to oversee the future development of the former military bases.

Yesterday Dr. Saul said the base lands offered Bermuda a golden opportunity to begin the 21st Century with a new foundation of strength.

He added however: "Providing they are used to broaden economic opportunity, create jobs, earn much needed foreign currency and, at the same time, provide more space for sport and recreation.

"We intend to see that this is precisely what happens. Our objectives will also include the strengthening of our tourism industry and the diversification of our economy so that our vulnerability to economic change overseas is reduced.'' The new organisation was set up last summer under the chairmanship of Vince Ingham who helped pick his board of directors.

It will act as a private company, issuing bonds to raise cash, but is 100 percent owned by the Government. Its aim is to bring new investment to Bermuda through the regeneration of the base lands, although Dr. Saul said it would not concentrate entirely on economic benefits and that social and community activities would also be provided.

"How successful we are in reaching the full potential of the base lands depends largely on the organisation the Government puts in place to supervise and manage their use and development.

"I am sure that this Board of Directors possesses the right combination of skills, initiatives, imagination and sense of public duty to ensure success,'' added Dr. Saul.

Dr. Gibbons also praised the people on the board saying they had expertise in engineering, law, communications, tourism, general business management, business ownership, banking and international business.

"On the basis of their careers so far, I believe all of these directors know how to get things done. They have risen to the top and are widely respected for their ability,'' said Dr. Gibbons.

Mr. Ingham said the board had already had its first meeting as well as a briefing from the Land Development Transition Office, which it is replacing.

"I can now say without reservation that I believe we have the right mixture of people in place to get things done.'' The full board comprises of: Alec Anderson, a partner at Conyers Dill and Pearman, Edward G. Ball Jr, former president of the Bermuda Public Service Association, Sheila Dickinson, general manager responsible for Global Custody at the Bermuda Commercial Bank.

Geoffrey Elliott, who serves on a number of local and international companies, Rhona Emmerson, president and creative director of Advertising Associates, Dr.

Walwyn Hughes, former Financial Secretary.

Michelle Khaldun, general manager of the Bermuda Small Business Development Association, Edward Lamb, general manager of United Parcel Services (Bermuda), Michael Leverock, chief operating officer of Bermuda Digital Communications.

Allan Marshall, founder of Pure Water Ltd, Frank Mutch, a consulting lawyer, Muriel Richardson, general manager of the Rosedon Guest House and a director of the Bermuda Hotel Association and Marico Thomas, president and general manager of Four Star Pizza.

NEW TEAM -- Back row from left to right: Allan Marshall, Michael Leverock, Alec Anderson and Rhona Emmerson. Front from left to right: Finance Minister Grant Gibbons, Sheila Dickinson, Edward G. Ball Jr., Vince Ingham, Michelle Khaldun, Edward Lamb and Premier Dr. David Saul.