Bruce Matheson appointed chair of the Canterbury DHB

Bruce Matheson appointed chair of the Canterbury District Health Board

Today the Health Minister, Tony Ryall announced the appointment of Bruce Matheson as the new Chair of the Canterbury District Health Board, replacing Alister James.

Bruce Matheson brings extensive management experience across a wide range of sectors. He also has significant governance expertise. He recently completed 13 years on the board of Spanbild Holdings Ltd (formerly Versatile Buildings Ltd) and Versatile Buildings Australia. He currently chairs the Board of Brannigans Ltd and Fresh Pork New Zealand. He has held other director roles including Contracting South Canterbury, Canterbury Health, Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Port of Portland, Australia.

Bruce Matheson is known for his strong team building skills and inclusive management style.

“The health sector is very challenging and I am aware that this will be a complex role. However I am confident that I have the ability and skills to lead a board that will support David Meates and his team of providers at every level of the organisation.

“I have the utmost respect for people working in the health sector – juggling the demands of scarce resources and competing priorities is no easy task. I watched with admiration the extent Canterbury’s wider health sector mobilised to help others during the recent earthquake. It will be a privilege to work alongside such dedicated and talented professionals.

“I look forward to applying my governance experience and strategic skills to the Canterbury District Health Board. I also want to acknowledge the excellent work of outgoing chair Alister James and his board,” says Bruce Matheson.

Also appointed today are Peter Ballantyne, who will be deputy chair, Elizabeth Cunningham who is reappointed, and Susan Wallace. They will join Bruce Matheson and the seven elected members from 6 December 2010.

The elected Board members are Anna Crighton, Andrew Dickerson, Wendy Gilchrist, Aaron Keown, Chris Mene, David Morrell and Dr Olive Webb.

Further information on appointed Board members

Bruce Matheson has spent the past 30 years working for some of Canterbury’s leading organisations. He was Managing Director of Spanbild Holdings Ltd (formerly Versatile Buildings Ltd) and was appointed Managing Director after seven years as an independent Director. He has been chief executive of Meadow Mushrooms Ltd and Lyttelton Port Company; managed the industrial division of Skellerup Industries and was the Group Financial Director of Donaghys Industries.

Peter Ballantyne has worked as a chartered accountant for more than 30 years, and is currently a cross-appointed member on both West Coast and Canterbury DHBs. Mr Ballantyne will continue on both boards and be deputy chair on both.

Elizabeth Cunningham is Research Manager – Maori at the Otago University's Christchurch School of Medicine. She was first appointed to the Canterbury DHB in 2007.

Susan Wallace is cross-appointed from West Coast DHB. Miss Wallace is Manager of Te Runanga o Makaawhio Inc, and has been an appointed member of the West Coast Board since 2006. She is chair of the West Coast DHB's Combined Community and Public Health and Disability Support Advisory Committee.

ENDS

© Scoop Media