Newsroom.

AusBiotech announces that Glenn Cross has decided to retire from his position as CEO but will retain his long standing relationship with the organisation.

After 13 years of service to AusBiotech, and 2 years as its CEO, Glenn recently confirmed to the Board his intention to retire from the company.  Following this signal, and with Glenn’s expertise and experience, the Board has decided to ask Glenn to transition to a part time contract role leading a dedicated business development effort for AusEvents.  AusBiotech is pleased to announce that Glenn has accepted this business development role.

Julie Phillips, Chairman of the AusBiotech Board, in reflecting Glenn’s contributions, “I applaud Glenn’s passion for the organisation and its place in the Australian life sciences industry.  His achievements are both numerous and significant”.  

Of particular note is his leading role in the establishment of AusMedTech, and so it is quite fitting that this announcement be made during this event, some 12 years after the first meeting in 2007.  MedTech is a growing part of the life sciences industry and Australian economy, and forms around 30% of the AusBiotech membership. Glenn’s role in integrating medical technology with other parts of our sector will be a long lasting legacy.

Glenn has also been integral to the development and implementation of the Global Investment Program.  The first Australian Life Sciences Investment Event in Melbourne occurred in 2006, growing each year to the 2018 event attracting some 300 investors.  AusBiotech has supported its member companies in taking their investments to the global capital markets in USA, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. In 2018 AusBiotech ran our 8^th event in Hong Kong and our 2^nd in Shanghai that attracted over 250 investors.

AusBiotech also recognises Glenn’s critical role in the formation of AusEvents, which was established in 2010 as a professional conference organising arm of the organisation.  Providing a valuable service to our members, while also expanding to increase its revenue contribution, AusEvents also enhances our reputation in the broader scientific community.

Glenn will transition from the CEO role in early July  Reporting to new CEO leadership, Glenn will invest his time in securing new events, that in turn will support AusBiotech’s company profile and position.  The existing events team, already efficient in executing high quality events, will continue to operate within the AusBiotech team, reporting to the new CEO. 

Julie Phillips continued “The Board is pleased that Glenn’s expertise in securing new events will continue to benefit AusBiotech into the future, and we are confident that Glenn will continue to bring new initiatives to the organisation and so supporting AusEvents moving to a whole a new level”.

We trust that AusBiotech members will join the Board in thanking and congratulating Glenn on his contributions to date, over many years including most recently as CEO.

Transition plans and announcements regarding new leadership for AusBiotech will be the subject of a separate announcement.