“I am pleased to announce Jennifer Kerr and Professor Shaun Hendy have been appointed to the Board of Directors for Callaghan Innovation,” says Dr Megan Woods

“Stefan Korn, George Gong and Robin Hapi have also had their terms extended.

“Callaghan Innovation is New Zealand’s innovation agency, supporting Kiwi businesses to innovate and collaborate. They have been major partners in the development of the R&D Tax Incentive which will encourage even more New Zealand firms to undertake R&D activity,” says Dr Woods.

Jennifer Kerr brings a focus on change management, organisational development, and performance capability to the board. Mrs Kerr is also on the board of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and will support a valuable connection between the strategic approaches of the two organisations.

Professor Shaun Hendy is a professor of physics at the University of Auckland. He is also the Director of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence focusing on complex systems and networks, and has published work on innovation. Mrs Kerr and Professor Hendy will sit on the board for terms of three years.

Robin Hapi is Chair/Te Amokapua of the Council of Te Wananga o Raukawa. He was previously on the board of NZ Trade and Enterprise to June 2018, and was Chair of Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd and Sealord Group from 2007 until 2011. Robin is of Ngati Kahungunu descent and became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2016 New Year Honours. Mr Hapi has been re-appointed as deputy chair to 31 March 2019.

Stefan Korn was appointed to the board in 2017. He is an experienced entrepreneur, business strategist and investor with over 10 years of experience in managing high growth ventures, early stage investment, and software development. Mr Korn has a PhD in Neural Networks/Artificial Intelligence and an MBA in International Business.

George Gong was also appointed to the board in 2017. Mr Gong is an entrepreneur and Angel Investor with over twenty years’ international experience in the Information Technology industry. He is the Chair of Zino Ventures, the first Chinese-led angel group in NZ, aiming to invest in Kiwi start-up companies to help them to make the most of opportunities in China. Mr Korn and Mr Gong have been re-appointed for terms of one year.