Chair of the Board – Canterbury Scientific
Chair of the Board – Canterbury Scientific
A rare opportunity to govern a globally respected scientific organisation driving diagnostic excellence.
For four decades, Canterbury Scientific Ltd has been a New Zealand success story with a deep international reputation. Established in 1985 and headquartered in Christchurch, the company has evolved from modest beginnings into a globally recognised supplier of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) controls and calibrators, specialising in products supporting diabetes and haemoglobinopathy assays. The company is recognised internationally for its scientific rigour, product reliability, world class quality and regulatory capabilities, responsiveness and longstanding customer relationships. With 100% of production exported and customer relationships spanning Europe, Asia, and the USA, Canterbury Scientific continues to expand its impact through strategic investments in the USA and Spain.
As the organisation positions itself for its next phase of growth, we are seeking a Chair-designate who brings exceptional governance capability, medtech/biotech sector insight, and the commercial maturity required to steward a high-performing scientific enterprise. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a company whose technical and quality excellence, global partnerships, and innovation agenda have made it a trusted leader in its field.
Key strengths we’re seeking:
- A governance leader with scientific sector insight.
- Proven governance expertise with the ability to lead a diverse, aligned Board.
- Strategic leadership experience guiding organisations through growth and scale.
- Strong understanding of capital raising, liquidity events, and M&A activity.
- Outstanding communication skills and the presence to represent the company to investors, regulators, and industry partners.
- Proven ability to mentor, challenge and support the CEO and senior team while reinforcing a collaborative, high-integrity culture.
- High-level commercial and scientific literacy, ideally gained within diagnostics, healthcare, med-tech, or adjacent sectors.
- Skill in shaping Board capability for future needs and overseeing executive succession planning.
- Commitment to maintaining Canterbury Scientific’s reputation for quality, ethics, and partnership.
If you are an experienced governance leader with the capability and presence to help shape Canterbury Scientific’s next chapter, we welcome your interest.
Commitment: Six meetings per annum plus Board Committees.
Fee: Paid role.
Applications Close: 18 January 2026, please email michelle.pearson@iod.org.nz for any questions.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
