Ausbiotech appoints new CEO

Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) executive Dr Anna Lavelle has been appointed as the new head of Australia's peak biotechnology industry organisation, AusBiotech.

AusBiotech Chairman Simon Carroll announced today that Lavelle, currently leader of the ARCBS' national knowledge and innovation unit, would take over from retiring executive director Tony Coulepis on June 27. The role is an ongoing appointment.

Carroll said Lavelle has well established credentials as an executive of a significant, nationally dispersed organisation with a large volunteer workforce. She is also a former chief executive of Family Planning Victoria.

Lavelle said today she believed the role would be a "great challenge". She said she would be looking for opportunities to connect more aggressively and assertively with government, possibly in collaboration with other industry bodies such as Medicines Australia and Research Australia.

"Advocacy is of paramount importance," she said. "Part of that agenda will be highlighting what the key issues are and ensuring that those things will be actively discussed.

"We will be looking at existing policy positions, engaging with the sector about those policy positions and developing responses, communicating those responses both through written material and actively."

"That might include directly lobbying ministers, senior bureaucrats and people with influence in the area, working indirectly through others that share your concerns, and partnering with similar organisations."

She is also keen to look at providing support of smaller organisations in the form of infrastructure, services and networking opportunities.

Lavelle's position at ARCBS included business development, including projects around stem cells, haematology, developing therapeutics from novel proteins. "This intersects with the biotechnology sector," she said.

After gaining a PhD in genetics, she worked as an academic and a research scientist. "I guess I have an eclectic background which covers health, policy, business, strategic planning, business development and research and innovation," she said.

Carroll said the AusBiotech Board was highly appreciative of Coulepis' effort, commitment and drive since he was appointed - Coulepis announced his resignation five months ago, but continued working in his position. He will leave when Lavelle takes up her appointment.