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 at Chapman Tripp. She is a skilled advocate and litigator specialising in commercial, employment, and resource management law. Jo has been a member of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal since 2011.
Warren Bell MCOM DIRECTOR
Warren joined the board in 2011. 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 AM, 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 Special Broadcasting Service. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Directors. In 2020 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia.
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 holds director positions in the property, health, and philanthropic sectors. Claire had a long executive career at BHP and OneSteel Limited before becoming a professional director. Claire is chair of the Audit and Financial Risk Committee and the Health and Safety Committee.
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 managing director of Leighs Construction, which he founded in 1995 and built into one of New Zealand’s leading commercial construction contractors. He is a former chairman of the New Zealand Registered Master Builders’ Association. Anthony joined the Ryman board in 2018.
Paula Jeffs (BA, Psych & Media, Grad Dip IR), GAICD, CAHRI DIRECTOR
Paula is a Melbourne-based human resources executive with experience across healthcare, finance and government sectors and deep expertise in workforce planning, organisational capability and executive coaching. In the early stages of her working life, Paula spent several years as a carer in the Aged and Disability sector.
