Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp has announced two new appointments to the board of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology – the main government funding body for science and technology.

They are:

• Dr William Rolleston, Director of South Pacific Sera


• Phil O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Business New Zealand

They replace board members Dr Diana Hill and Dr Bronwen Connor, whose terms expired on 30 April.

“William Rolleston and Phil O’Reilly are leaders with particular strengths in the areas of science entrepreneurship and business,” Dr Mapp said.

“Establishing better links between science and business is a major priority.  The appointment of Dr Rolleston and Mr O’Reilly will bring significant science entrepreneurship to the board.   This, teamed with the skills and knowledge of the other board members, will help the Foundation to make the best decisions on how to invest in New Zealand research, science and technology.”

“I thank Dr Diana Hill and Dr Bronwen Connor for the valuable contributions they have made while on the board.” 

The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology was established by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Act 1990 to invest in science and technology research for the benefit of New Zealand.  It invests about $500 million of public money per annum through a number of funds and schemes to help support:

• “public good” related science and technology, undertaken by Crown Research Institutes, universities, private researchers and industry led-consortia


• private sector business research and development, and


• New Zealand's top achieving students and researchers.

Others on the FRST board are Chair Bryan Gould, Deputy Chair Jim McLean, and members Associate Professor Pare Keiha, Warren Larsen, Dr Tom Richardson, Denise Church, and Professor Roberta Farrell.

Dr William Rolleston

Dr Rolleston is a founding shareholder and director of South Pacific Sera, which produces animal blood products for the biotechnology sector.  He is a director of several other small and medium enterprises in the agricultural and developmental sectors, and is chair of the Life Sciences Network.

He is a member of the Industry/MAF Animal Biosecurity Consultative Committee and has represented New Zealand industry groups overseas.  He received a Distinguished Biotechnologist award at the NZBio Conference in early March 2009.  Dr Rolleston is a qualified medical practitioner.

Phil O’Reilly

Phil O’Reilly is chief executive of Business New Zealand.  Through this role he has wide experience and a deep understanding of many industry sectors in New Zealand.  He also has extensive contact with key influencers and users of Foundation funding, e g New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Tertiary Education Commission, the CRIs and university vice-chancellors.  He is a Council member of the Royal Society of New Zealand, chair of the Capitalising on Research and Development Action Group (CRAG), and has engaged in a wide range of areas relating to the commercialisation of research in New Zealand.  Mr O’Reilly represents New Zealand businesses and employers internationally at the ILO and OECD.  His original professional sector experience is in media, banking and finance.