Geoff is a Dunedin based Professional Director and has been a director of Blis Technologies Limited since May 2018, taking over the role of Chair in July 2021. He has also previously held the role of Deputy Chair and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Geoff worked for Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) and KPMG, in Dunedin and Birmingham, UK through the 1980’s before joining Port Otago Limited in 1988 as Chief Financial Officer. Geoff spent the following 29 years with the Port Otago Group, before retiring in 2017. Geoff worked across the business in a variety of roles, culminating in appointment as CEO in 2004, a position he held until retirement. Geoff is also an independent Director on the Ports of Auckland.
Geoff is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a Member of the Institute of Directors.
Barry is Dunedin based and joined the BLIS Board in July 2018. He joined the NZ Dairy Board in 1985 after a period in research and development and also undertook business development roles in two joint venture companies. In 1991 he joined Tatua Co-op Dairy Co. Ltd to develop a milk biologics business and was also General Manager, International and Strategic Development. Barry later became CEO of Westland Milk Products Ltd when the company chose to independently market its own dairy products with the deregulation of the dairy industry at the end of 2001.
Transitioning to Blis Technologies Ltd in 2006, Barry served as CEO until 2016 and currently serves as a director at CertusBio Ltd. With academic credentials including an M.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry and a PhD from Massey University, Barry is recognized as a Fellow of both the NZ Institute of Management and the NZ Institute of Food Science and Technology. He received the prestigious JC Andrews award in 2003 for his contributions to Food Science and Technology.
Alison is Christchurch based and was appointed to the Board in September 2018.
Alison brings to the board governance and commercial research and development experience within the international biotechnology industry. Alison has held key executive leadership roles in New Zealand and US corporates and understands the drivers for successful commercialisation of research. Alison is an experienced research and innovation leader with expertise in microbe-based product development, patents, IP protection, new product pipeline and development of strategic partnerships with large international corporations.
Alison is a Distinguished Emeritus Professor from Lincoln University, New Zealand and was elected a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in 2011 for her contributions to biology.
Aimee is Wellington based and was appointed to the Board in October 2021. Aimee is CEO of Pic’s Peanut Butter. She is an experienced strategist and brand builder with deep knowledge of consumer marketing. Her brand experience spans an array of New Zealand’s power brands including Whittaker’s, Toyota, Lotto, Tourism NZ and 42 Below.
Aimee was previously CEO of entertainment, advertising and technology company Augusto Group. Her career has spanned roles as General Manager of Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production, senior management at Assignment Group and Trade Me, and many years with the Saatchi & Saatchi network in Wellington, Auckland and New York.
Aimee has a Bachelor of Commerce from Auckland University, and has completed leadership training at the Omnicom University in Shanghai.
Anita was appointed to the Board in January 2024. Anita is the CEO of Probi AB. Probi’s foundation rests on science, leveraging state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing expertise to create standout probiotic products that offer proven value. Anita is also currently serving as an elected board member of International Association of Probiotics (IPA) and on the board of IPA Europe.
Anita earned her Master of Pharmacy and her PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Technology from the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Throughout her career she has been working with product development and held leadership positions in global consumer healthcare companies, such as Ferrosan, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Novozymes, and USP Zdrowie. Anita joined Probi in April 2022 as the Vice President of Research & Development, and since April 2023 has been the Chief Executive Officer of Probi. Anita leads by creating and leading effective high performing teams and mentoring, inspiring and growing new talent. Anita is passionate about promoting the advantages of good bacteria by delivering customer relevant innovations supported by science.
Appointed in January 2024, Scott is an experienced CEO with over 35 years of experience in the consumer and health and wellness sectors both internationally and within Australasia with businesses such as IBM, Frucor-Suntory and the GO Healthy Group.
Richard Wingham was appointed to the role of CFO for Blis Technologies in November 2017.
Richard is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience, including various senior finance roles across the dairy FMCG, construction and health sectors. His skills cross over manufacturing, project management, information technology and strategic planning.
John Hale did his PhD studying bacteriocins (BLIS) under the supervision of Professor John Tagg at the Department of Microbiology, University of Otago.
He carried out post-doctoral research at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) and Monash University School of Pharmacy (Melbourne, Australia) investigating the modes of action of antimicrobial peptides. Dr Hale joined Blis Technologies in 2011 and leads the Scientific Services team.
Jennifer started in February 2022 having extensive global marketing experience within consumer and wellness sectors in both start-ups and larger corporates.
Jennifer has a strong experience base across eCommerce, brand and retail marketing, having worked for international brands such as Puma and corporates focused on the health and wellness sector.
Bringing over two decades of extensive experience in Quality and Supply Chain management, Melissa joined BLIS in 2015, following various Quality and Food Safety related positions within renowned FMCG giants like Cadbury and Mondelez International. A passionate advocate for systems enhancement and continuous improvement, Melissa specialises in driving operational excellence, risk management, and fostering a culture of quality throughout the organisation.
Ash joined the BLIS team in 2021 as People & Culture Manager, bringing over a decade of experience in the People & Culture space within tourism, health, and education industries. Ash’s leadership is defined by a strong commitment to creating and developing people-centric practices that align with company values.
