Ms Lorraine Chiroiu appointed as new CEO effective early July 2018
2 May 2018
Ms Lorraine Chiroiu appointed as AusBiotech Chief Executive Officer
AusBiotech announces that Ms Lorraine Chiroiu (MBA, GAICD) will be appointed as its Chief Executive Officer, effective early July 2018. This appointment follows the retirement of Mr Glenn Cross from the position, covered under separate announcement.
AusBiotech Chairman, Ms Julie Phillips indicated that following an external recruitment process, conducted by Brooker Consulting, Ms Chiroiu’s appointment was confirmed by the Board of Directors.
Ms Chiroiu is well known to AusBiotech members and the industry, in her current role with AusBiotech as its Deputy CEO. Ms Chiroiu has worked as a dedicated advocate for the life sciences sector, including almost a decade of contribution to AusBiotech, working closely with public policy impacting sector at state and Federal levels. Her advocacy has traversed regulation, tax incentives, patent protection, medical research and its commercialisation.
Ms Chiroiu has worked tirelessly on issues critical to the sector, including most recently on the R&D Tax incentive and proposals for change. She feels that it is a policy issue requiring deep understanding of the commercial imperatives of companies and how policies interact with commercial decisions. “I was with AusBiotech (previous) CEO Dr Anna Lavelle at the time of the original policy announcement, and afterward witnessed the positive industry reactions. I remain convinced of its value to the sector. I also recall seeing the industry weather the global financial crisis and consequent impacts on available capital. I’m looking forward to ensuring that our member views can continue to be articulated in a way that is both relevant and useful for policy-makers”.
Ms Chiroiu has previously held the roles of Chief Industry Affairs Officer and National Communications and Media Manager at AusBiotech and prior to joining, worked in corporate and public affairs roles for a multinational biopharmaceutical company, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the University of Melbourne and for a health consumer organisation. She has an undergraduate degree in public relations, a postgraduate diploma in marketing management, an MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Chiroiu currently sits on the Federal Government’s Clinical Trials Collaborative Forum, the University of Melbourne’s Master of Biotechnology Advisory Group and is Deputy Chair of the Australia-China Business Council’s (VIC) Health and Medical Research Committee.
Ms Phillips said: “Ms Chiroiu is well known to members and has achieved a great deal to date. We are fortunate to have such a depth of talent and experience in our organisation, and the Board is delighted to welcome Lorraine to her new Chief Executive role in the organisation.”
In accepting the role, Ms Chiroiu said “I am delighted and honoured to accept the role of CEO for AusBiotech. I aim to bring the same passion and strength to the sector that others before me have shown, including Dr Anna Lavelle and Mr Glenn Cross. I commit to continued dedication to the members and their needs, advocating for the life sciences industry and its sustainable growth”.
Ms Phillips concluded that “The Board is confident that this smooth leadership transition and continued strong team for AusBiotech under Lorraine’s guidance will enable the organisation to continue its work supporting the growth of the Australian life sciences industry.”