ESR Chief Executive Peter Lennox has resigned after four years at the helm.
Over this time, he led the organisation through New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which drew heavily on intelligence and support from ESR. Other highlights included securing approval for a major redevelopment of the Kenepuru Science Centre campus.
In a statement announcing Peter’s resignation, the Board recognised and thanked Peter for his substantial contribution to ESR and his dedicated leadership and commitment to the organisation during the last four years.
“The Board wishes to particularly note his leadership of ESR’s essential role as part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Having seen the organisation through the COVID-19 challenge, Peter now sees an opportunity to hand over the leadership reins.”
Reflecting on his time in the role, Peter noted the professionalism and value of the ESR staff in their support of him as Chief Executive.
“It has been an immense privilege to lead an organisation of such talented and inspiring people, whose work makes a difference for Aotearoa every day.”
Peter leaves ESR on 23 August. An update with the next steps for interim and longer-term leadership arrangements will be made shortly.
ABOUT
Born in Northern Ireland, Peter spent much of working life in Scotland, where he was the director of biotechnology networks for Scottish Enterprise, the national economic development agency of Scotland, from 1999 to 2002. After emigrating to New Zealand in 2002, Peter took up the post of Director for Industry New Zealand’s biotechnology sector.
From 2011 to 2020, he was the Chief Executive of MetService and its international subsidiary Metraweather. During his tenure at MetService, he was New Zealand’s designated Permanent Representative with the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Peter has post-graduate degrees in biochemistry and biological sciences from Queen's University (Belfast) and Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh), as well as an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Glasgow University. He has also studied at the London Business School.