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 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.
He joined Blis Technologies Ltd in 2006 and after a short period was appointed CEO until 2016. Barry is currently a director of CertusBio Ltd. Barry has a M.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry and PhD from Massey University. He is a past Fellow of the NZ Institute of Management and a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Food Science and Technology. In 2003 he received the prestigious JC Andrews award for distinction in 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.
Jörn was appointed to the Board in January 2023. Jörn is the President Scent & Care and Member of the Executive Board of Symrise AG, a leading supplier of the fragrance cosmetic industry. Jörn leads the Scent & Care division from Holzminden, Germany, with the goal of expanding Symrise’s position in cosmetic ingredients through targeted investments in innovation and extending the product portfolio strategically.
He is a Board member of Probi AB, a world leading Swedish listed biotechnology company and substantial product holder of Blis Technologies.
Prior to joining Symrise AG, Jörn worked with The Boston Consulting Group and Bayer AG. He received a PhD in Economic Sciences from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany.
Brian was appointed CEO of Blis Technologies in February 2016.
He joined Blis following senior management roles with Fonterra and within the Pharmaceutical industry in New Zealand and overseas. Brian’s career has focused on general management, marketing and sales across healthcare, nutraceutical and nutrition industries. Brian has a track record of successfully launching global brands into new markets and leading change within organisations.
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.
