Permanent CEO For FRST

20 August 2001

Gowan Pickering has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST). For the past year Mr Pickering has been acting as the interim CEO of the organisation.

Announcing this today, the Chairman of FRST, Professor Neil Richardson said that the Board is very fortunate to have a person with the unique combination of leadership, business and science and technology skills of Gowan Pickering to head the Foundation. Before joining FRST, Mr Pickering was Chairman and Chief Executive of IBM New Zealand and also held a number of company directorships. He has a degree in science from Canterbury University.

“Gowan Pickering has already managed the organisation through a period of challenging and far reaching changes and his acceptance of this permanent role will enable him to complete this complex task. In the short time that he has been with the organisation, Gowan has developed new strategies to deliver ‘future focussed’ outcomes and put in place a new portfolio based investment process that enables the Foundation to better identify areas of research, science and innovation that will deliver a range of benefits to the country”, said Professor Richardson.

Professor Richardson says the Foundation is committed to working positively with all its stakeholders and to encourage new partnerships and collaborative ventures among the research providers in both the public and private sectors. “We live in exciting times and one can sense that the country is finally embracing the value of science and innovation and with it, the concept of a knowledge economy. The Board is most fortunate to now have a Chief Executive who can ensure that the Foundation effectively plays its part in improving the economic and social well-being of all New Zealanders”, said Professor Richardson.

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