Geoff Cranko

Chairman

Geoff has been developing and managing companies for 30 years. His career has seen him work on every continent leading teams of up to 1500 people. As Strategy’s Group Managing Partner, he provides clear thinking and offers straight talking business experience to help clients align their business strategy, with compelling and effective communications.
Along with facilitating, managing and developing the growth of the Strategy Group of companies, Geoff sits on several boards of private companies. He is also the Chair of the World Buskers Festival and a Trustee of the CPIT Foundation.
He is happily married to Andrea with two amazing daughters, Toni and Monique.

Simon Carey

Treasurer

Simon is an experienced Chartered Accountant and business adviser with demonstrated expertise across privately held businesses, government and public interest entities in New Zealand and a track record in strategic planning, analysis, project management and risk management. Simon’s specialities include: Sale and purchase of business, Valuations and litigation support, Strategic planning, Business turnaround and restructure, Financing proposals, Business succession and planning.

Mike Laney

Board Member

Michael is a consultant gynacologist and honorary lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology to the Christchurch Branch of the Otago University Medical School. Mike, along with several colleagues, developed and established The Oxford Women’s Clinic in Christchurch in 1996. Oxford Women’s Health provides specialist consultation services in obstetrics & gynaecology and colorectal and gastrointestinal disorders and incorporates the Oxford Women’s Health Hospital which carries out a large range of surgical procedures but specialises in advanced endoscopic surgery.

Mark Jordan

Board Member

Mark Jordan is an Independent Director and Business Advisor. He has a marketing background, and fifteen years senior executive experience with large public and private companies, including HW Richardson, Pacific Brands, and BP. Not-for-profit governance experience was gained as Chairman of the Christchurch Boys’ High School Board of Trustees. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, Mark has a commerce degree from Lincoln University.

Kath Fox

Board Member

Kath has wide ranging experience in governance, chief executive and leadership positions in the public, private, non-government and voluntary sectors. Her leadership experience in health and disability, education, and the wider social service sector includes commissioning, service management, organisational development and transformation, workforce development, clinical training, aged care, special education, Maori development, mental health and disability support, policy, and research. Kath has had a long involvement in health sector leadership and management, and has held many governance roles in the sector - including as a former Ministerial appointee to the Health Research Council. Kath currently holds a number of directorships and continues a longstanding commitment to working with organisations that promote strengths based approaches and evidence informed practice.

Nichola Hiatt

Board Member

Nichola is an experienced legal and compliance professional. Nichola is the Legal Counsel at First NZ Capital, a business that provides financial and investment services. Previously, Nichola practiced as a senior corporate commercial lawyer in Christchurch. Nichola holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (English and Political Studies) from the University of Otago. Nichola is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and is admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Sir Robert Stewart KNZM

Patron

Sir Robert Stewart is the founder and chairman of SKOPE Industries. Based in Christchurch, SKOPE is one of New Zealand's leading manufacturers, of leading-edge refrigeration units, and a successful exporter. Robert Stewart was a founder of the Christchurch private radio station Radio Avon and has also been heavily involved in car racing all his adult life. He is currently the chairman of the Health Research Council.

His wife, Barbara, has been actively involved in Christchurch local body politics and in the city's arts and culture life. They have three children, two of whom, Guy and Alexandra, are actively involved in the SKOPE business.

Dr Ben Hudson

Chairman - Scientific Assessment Committee

Ben graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (UK) and completed GP training in the North East of England. He has worked as a GP in Lyttelton since 2005.

His research interests are in pain management in osteoarthritis, and risk communication.

Ben is the convenor for the trainee intern general practice attachment.

In addition to his academic and clinical roles, Ben is the clinical leader for education and a member of the clinical board at Pegasus Health.

Professor Ian Wright

Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, UC

Professor Ian Wright is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at University of Canterbury since August 2016. He has extensive experience in research and technological leadership and management, having previously worked at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in Wellington, and eight years at the National Oceanography Centre / University of Southampton in the UK.

Professor David Murdoch

Dean Otago Medical School, Christchurch

Professor David Murdoch is Dean and Head of Campus of the University of Otago, Christchurch. An infectious diseases expert, David was previously Head of the School’s Department of Pathology for 14 years and has been a Clinical Microbiologist for the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) since 2000

Ross Hutton

Investment Advisor Craigs Investment Partners

Ross Hutton is an adviser with Craig's investment Partners. He has extensive experience in the finance industry ,having been an investment adviser for 35 years.
In his free time time, Ross is very active participating and watching sport. He also enjoys the Arts.
Ross holds a Bachelor of Laws ,Canterbury University ,and is both an AFA and NZX adviser

Professor Tony Kettle

Director, Centre for Free Radical Research

FRSNZ (elected 2012)
PhD (Biochemistry) Otago University 1989
MSc (Biochemistry) Simon Fraser University 1985
BSc Hons (Chemistry) Otago University 1979

Aleisha Woods

Administration Manager

Aleisha is in charge of the CMRF Office and is responsible for administering the grant rounds for the Foundation as well as overseeing all administrative functions for both CMRF and its subsidiary, The NZ Brain Research Institute.

Contact Aleisha

Dr Fiona Ciaran

Fundraising and Events Manager

Fiona has an extensive background in multi-million dollar asset gathering, art curation and event management. She also once ran Selwyn College in Dunedin. Before coming to CMRF she was the senior development consultant at the University of Canterbury.

Contact Dr