Ian Kearney to retire as Chair, Cawthron Board of Directors

Ian Kearney to retire as Chair of Cawthron Board of Directors

Chairman of the Cawthron Institute Board of Directors, Ian Kearney, has announced today that he will be retiring when his current term on the Board expires at the end of September. Mr Kearney has been Chair for 15 years.

“The Institute is currently in a very strong position with an excellent Chief Executive and a strong senior management team,” says Mr Kearney. “Cawthron is a great organisation with many outstanding people and it has been a privilege to work with them. They make a significant contribution to the region, to New Zealand, and some of the Institute’s recent initiatives will be very significant internationally.

“Cawthron has a well-balanced and thoughtful Board of Directors, and a number of very exciting projects underway. Now is a good time to be stepping aside.”

Mr Kearney was the first Chair of the Cawthron Board, having been appointed when the Board of Directors was established in 2003. This followed a change to the Thomas Cawthron Act to establish a new Board to undertake the governance responsibilities of the Cawthron Institute.

Chair of the Cawthron Board of Trustees, Mr Bob Dickinson, said that Trustees were disappointed but supportive of Mr Kearney’s decision to retire. “Ian has made a very significant contribution to the growth of Cawthron during his tenure and we are very grateful for his dedication and vision during that time.”

Mr Dickinson said that acquiring land at the Glen for the Cawthron Aquaculture Park, the establishment of new research facilities at CAP, the acquisition of additional land in Halifax Street, the construction of the new staff facilities and the environmental technology wing were amongst Mr Kearney’s initiatives.

“Ian has encouraged the acquisition of modern equipment and the construction of new facilities. The new finfish research facility at the Glen, for example, is one of the most modern in the world. This year Cawthron has invested more than $8 million in new buildings and equipment for its scientists.

“During Ian’s term, he has seen Cawthron’s assets increase from $6 million in 2003 to more than $38 million in June 2018. Staff numbers have increased from around 140 to more than 250 and scientific papers published has increased from fewer than 20 in 2003 to more than 100 in 2017.”

The Trustees have announced that Meg Matthews, who has been a Cawthron Director since 2015 and holds several professional directorships, will succeed Ian as Chair. “I have had the privilege of working with Ian Kearney at Cawthron for the past four years and the legacy he leaves behind is considerable,” says Ms Matthews. “Ian has set an outstanding governance example that has helped drive the growth and success of Cawthron.”

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