Dr Sunil Vather Apptd Ch Exec of Building Research

Dr Sunil Vather Appointed Chief Executive of Building Research

The directors of Building Research have appointed Dr Sunil Vather to the position of chief executive following the imminent retirement of Dr Allan Nichols.

Dr Vather has a scientific career spanning 25 years and extensive experience as a researcher, manager and leader of technology. He joins Building Research from Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) where he was General Manager of Science Strategy.

“The appointment of a chief executive of Dr Vather’s calibre brings significant experience and expertise to Building Research. We are delighted to have secured the services of such a highly regarded person for the position; someone who is eminently qualified in the scientific community and highly regarding as a manager,” said Stuart Kendon, chairman of Building Research’s board of directors.

Dr Vather has a D.Phil (Oxford), MBA (Witwatersrand), M.Sc (East Anglia) and B.Sc Hons First Class (Bombay). He is married with two children and lives in Lower Hutt. Family activities and fitness are his leisure priorities.

Mr Kendon acknowledged the contribution of Dr Allan Nichols who retires after 12 years at Building Research. “Allan has served the organisation with distinction. Over the past 18 months he has led the further separation of Building Research and BRANZ Ltd, which reinforces the funder and provider split between the two organisations. Having achieved this task, Allan indicated to the Board that the time had come for him to step aside and he tendered his resignation pending the appointment of his replacement.”

Until the appointment of a separate chief executive for BRANZ Ltd, Dr Nichols was also chief executive of that organisation.

Dr Nichols remains chief executive until 26 August 2005 when Dr Vather takes up his appointment to the role.

ENDS

Building Research invests in an extensive range of research, technology transfer and scholarship activities, with funds derived from the Building Research Levy, under the direction of a Board drawn widely from the building and construction industry. See www.buildingresearch.org.nz

Building Research should not be referred to as BRANZ, which is the trading name of the separate entity BRANZ Ltd (see www.branz.co.nz). BRANZ Ltd delivers research, testing, consultancy and educational services. While BRANZ Ltd has its own Board, it is owned by Building Research but draws only 40% of its income from investments by Building Research.

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