Genesis Research and Development Corporation (NZSX/ASX:GEN) today announced the appointment of Stephen Hall as Chief Executive, effective immediately.

Jim McLean, Chairman of Genesis, said that after undertaking an international search and considering a number of candidates, the Board had determined that Stephen was the best candidate for the role.

“Over the past four years the Board has had an opportunity to witness the contribution Stephen has made as we worked closely with him through a number of challenging issues. He has the leadership skills, vision and tenacity that the company needs.”

Stephen has been Head of Corporate Services since September 2000 and has been heavily involved in all aspects of the company’s commercial activity: partnerships, negotiations, business development, intellectual property, corporate structure, capital markets and governance.

Prior to joining Genesis Stephen held senior management roles at St Lukes Group, Watercare Services, Smith & Smith Glass, Feltex Group, and Boart Australia.

“Stephen is well-known to and highly regarded by investors, both institutional and individual, and by the local and international biotechnology industry,” says Genesis Chairman, Jim McLean.  “His credentials in management and finance are supplemented by the knowledge he has gained of the science business over the last four years.”

Dr Jim Watson, the current Chief Executive and founder of the company, will commence the new role of Founder Scientist.  “I am particularly pleased that the international search undertaken by the Board resulted in Stephen’s appointment,” said Dr Watson. “I believe that with his experience from previous roles and the knowledge and expertise gained in the biotechnology industry he will do an outstanding job.”

BACKGROUND

Stephen Hall, MCom (Hons) CA CTP

Stephen Hall joined Genesis in September 2000 and since then has held the role of Head of Corporate Services and Company Secretary.

He has previously held management and finance roles in a number of listed and private companies in NZ and Australia. Stephen worked for what is now known as KPMG for five years. He then held the role of General Manager at Boart Australia before returning to New Zealand. He spent seven years with Feltex Group, working in finance and general management roles, including Manager of Feltex Yarns and Thorobred Yarns. 

For seven years Stephen was General Manager Finance & Administration for Watercare Services and deputised for the CEO. 

Prior to joining Genesis Research Stephen was CFO and Company Secretary of St Lukes Group.
Stephen has been a Trustee of Auckland Chamber Orchestra Trust since its inception in 1999.

About Genesis

Founded in 1994, Genesis is a New Zealand-based biotechnology company. It has built a broad genomic platform and has multiple product candidates in development, targeting immune disorders and cancer. These are backed by an extensive patent portfolio.

Collaborations are maintained with Amgen Inc. (Nasdaq:AMGN), Corixa Corporation (Nasdaq:CRXA), SR Pharma plc (AIM:SPA), Jurox Pty Ltd, and AgResearch.

AgriGenesis Biosciences Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genesis that is focused on using key plant cell signalling genes - novel hormones and transcription factors - to control commercial traits including growth rates and wood fibre quality in trees, nutritional content of forage grasses, flowering control, and cold tolerance. It has developed comprehensive plant EST databases including the world’s largest EST database for commercial forestry species. It has commercial collaborations with ArborGen LLC, Wrightson (NZX: WRI), HortResearch, and Landcare Research.