Consider poor Shepherd's difficult task.

He chairs the WestConnex Delivery Authority - the organisation in charge of building the biggest motorway project in the country's history - and was head of the PM's National Commission of Audit. He is also inaugural chairman of AFL club Greater Western Sydney and he is deputy chair of the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust.

"As chairman of the Business Council of Australia, and as a former director of Transfield, Tony Shepherd's appointment is a coup for NSW," NSW Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay said last year when Shepherd got the WestConnex gig.

"Tony Shepherd is one of Australia's outstanding business figures with a long track record of achievement within the infrastructure industry, including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Melbourne City Link."

If it wasn't for the $144 million court action by aggrieved investors, CBD would have forgotten his memorable role with the failed Lane Cove Tunnel project.

It was not the only momentous infrastructure gig that failed to make it to Shepherd's CV at WestConnex.

His role as chairman at transport ticketing provider ERG - the company behind Sydney's failed Tcard project - was also missing in action. ERG shareholders were forced to hand the business to major investor Duncan Saville to stave off insolvency. 

Anchors aweigh!

Cut and run, moi?

Money is obviously tight at Anchorage. It just seemed like yesterday that the firm trousered more than $350 million from selling most of its Dick Smith stake in the November float.

The release of Dick Smith's full-year results on Tuesday took the sales shackles off Anchorage's remaining 20 per cent stake in the electronics retailer.

And it appears the corporate buccaneers will be offloading the remnants of their investment ASASPR (as soon as share price recovers).

"We currently have no intention of selling at the prevailing market price," Anchorage MD Daniel Wong said in a letter to Dick Smith boss Nick Abboud on Monday.

Given the "market price" at the time was comfortably below November's $2.20 IPO, it was hardly a tough decision. Anchorage also signalled it does not view its stake as a long-term one given it has already appointed Macquarie Capital as adviser and broker on its investment.

It is a pity Anchorage chairman Phil Cave, couldn't have called Dick Smith chairman Phil Cave, to let him know the firm was not about to sell its shares. Dick Smith may have then been in a position to inform the market before the results came out, not after.

Tug the other one

Who would have thought a skilful tug job could earn you more than a merchant banker in Manhattan.

But CBD takes umbrage at the suggestion that Port Hedland tugboat crews, including deckhands, are not worthy of the money as they contemplate strike action for better conditions and pay.

And think about it. Would we have suffered the GFC if bankers went on a prolonged strike for more pay?

According to BHP, deckhands earn at least $137,000 a year, which can rise to about $211,000 with benefits and allowances. A junior banker on Wall Street typically makes $US70,000-$US90,000, and with bonuses as much as $US140,000.

Mortal signs

CBD loves companies with "operational highlights" that include a rising death rate in Australia.

Funeral provider Invocare reported a strong boost to underlying earnings from favourable factors that include a rising death rate since the prior corresponding period.

"Market share has been maintained since the end of 2013 and indications are the numbers of deaths have increased from May 2014, reversing declines encountered from April 2013," says InvoCare's chief undertaker Andrew Smith.

Got a tip? ckruger@fairfaxmedia.com.au