We are delighted to welcome Ross Tanner to the Research For Life board. He brings significant governance skills, and financial and organisational experience having held various roles on government and business boards following his long career in the Public Service.

 After studying at Canterbury and Victoria Universities and then at Harvard University, Ross began a nearly 30-year career in the NZ Public Service. He started in The Treasury and his career culminated in eight years as Deputy State Services Commissioner, one of the most senior officers in the Public Service, experiencing a wide range of opportunities and responsibilities in between.

 After his term of office in the State Services Commission ended in September 2001, Ross forged a new career as a company director, and as a consultant specialising in public sector management and governance. He has served on a range of Crown entity boards including as Chair or Deputy Chair, chaired two charitable trust boards, and spent a number of years on the board of an Australasian listed company.

 Ross also contributes his time and skills on a number of voluntary NGO boards.

 He joins existing board members Dr Lance Lawler, Gaeline Phipps, Professor Rebecca Grainger, Richard Simpson, Richard Laurenson and Euan Playle. Emeritus Professor Brett Delahunt has recently retired from the board.

Established in 1960, Research For Life funds innovative quality research undertaken by researchers in the early stages of their careers.

Medical researchers from the University of Otago, Wellington – School of Medicine and Health Science, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, ESR, CCDHB, Massey University College of Health, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and Gillies McIndoe have, in the recent past, received grants from Research For Life.