But the name of the chairman of the new board, restructured by the New Zealand Rugby Union, will probably not be known until next month.
The New Zealand Rugby Union announced last month it was establishing a transitional Highlanders board for the next two years, with the representation from the provincial unions cut from four to three.
It said it would underwrite the franchise for the next two years, and appoint an independent director. The Dunedin City Council would also appoint a director, and the national union would also have the power to appoint the chairman.
Current board chairman Stuart McLauchlan said the provincial union board members had been selected.
Michael de Buyzer would continue in the role as the North Otago representative, as would Adrian Read from the Otago union.
Invercargill accountant Murray Acker would be the Southland representative, taking over from Gary Muir.
Acker is a board member of Rugby Southland.
McLauchlan, as an independent director, would continue, as would the other independent director, Angus Bradshaw, of Dunedin.
McLauchlan said the national union appointment was expected in the next few days and he would be surprised if it was someone from outside the Highlanders district.
He said the chairman would be appointed at the next meeting of the board next month.
The national union had the power to appoint the board chairman but McLauchlan expected it to be done at the next board meeting.
"They [NZRU] are pouring money into the franchise and so that is fair enough that they should have the power to appoint the chairman. But that is not the indication we have been given," he said.
Steve Thompson resigned his position on the Highlanders board in June, and also from the Otago union, while Malcolm Farry did not seek re-election at the end of his three year term, which finished earlier this year.
McLauchlan, as an independent director, is not up for re-election until 2011, while Bradshaw's term finishes next year.
McLauchlan said he was keen to stand again as chairman, after four years at the helm.
The chairman had to have no provincial affiliation, so that left only three candidates: McLauchlan, Bradshaw or the NZRU appointment.
The Dunedin City Council was yet to announce its appointment, McLauchlan said.
He confirmed the board was working through business as usual, and had much of its sponsorship in place for next year.
The two-year term for the board would help drive the franchise through to when the new Forsyth Barr Stadium was completed, McLauchlan said.
"The challenge now is to get this thing through to the new stadium. Hopefully, the new stadium will be the driver to help the franchise," he said.
The franchise was just finalising its financial result for the year but he said the national union had been fully informed of the progress.
"We have been honest and open about this. There is an issue and being the smallest franchise it has hit us first. But I think only one franchise made a positive return this year."
• New Highlanders board
Independent members: Stuart McLauchlan, Angus Bradshaw, NZRU appointment.
Provincial union members: Michael de Buyzer (North Otago), Adrian Read (Otago), Murray Acker (Southland).
DCC member: Appointment yet to be made.
Departing board members: Malcolm Farry (independent, did not seek re-election) Steve Thompson (Otago, resigned for business reasons), Gary Muir (Southland, resigned).
