Investors | Governance | Ryman Healthcare

The board

Dr David Kerr MB CHB, FRNZCGP
CHAIR

David joined Ryman’s board in 1994 and has held the role of chair since 1999. A general practitioner, David is a fellow and past president of the New Zealand Medical Association and was awarded a Fellowship with Distinction by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. He is chair of EcoCentral and Centercare Limited and a director of Forté Health and Ngāi Tahu Property.

Jo Appleyard LLB (HONS)
DIRECTOR

Jo is a partner with Chapman Tripp and a skilled advocate and litigator specialising in commercial, employment, and resource management law. Before her appointment as a director in 2009, Jo had acted for Ryman for several years on employment and resource management matters, both of which are critical to the success of the company.

Warren Bell MCOM
DIRECTOR

Warren joined the board in 2011 and chairs the Audit and Financial Risk Committee. He is an experienced public and private company director and was previously an audit partner. He is currently chair of Hallenstein Glasson and St George’s Hospital, and is a director of several private companies.

George Savvides BE (HONS), MBA, FAICD
DIRECTOR

George lives in Melbourne and has 20 years’ experience in Australia’s healthcare industry. After 14 years as managing director of Medibank, Australia’s largest health insurer, he retired in 2016. George joined Ryman’s board in 2013 and is chair of NextScience Limited and deputy chair of SBS. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Directors.

Claire Higgins BCOM, FCPA, FAICD
DIRECTOR

Based in Melbourne, Claire is a director and consultant with board experience in Australia and New Zealand. She joined Ryman’s board in 2014 and is chair of REI Superannuation Pty Ltd, and a director in the property, health, and philanthropic sectors. Claire had a long executive career at BHP and OneSteel Limited before becoming a professional director.

Geoffrey Cumming BA(HONS), MSC (ECON), LLD
DIRECTOR

Geoff re-joined the board in June 2018, having previously served as a director from 1999 to 2000. He is a Canada-based New Zealand citizen who is an economist, investor, and philanthropist. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a chief executive and as a company director, having served on more than 25 corporate boards in a wide range of countries and industries.

Anthony Leighs NZCB
DIRECTOR

Anthony is the Managing Director of Leighs Construction, which he founded in 1995 and has built into one of New Zealand’s leading commercial construction contractors. He is a former chairman of the New Zealand Registered Master Builders’ Association and a former deputy chairman of the Building Research Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Government Building Advisory Panel and the Construction Strategy Group. Anthony joined the Ryman board in 2018.