ESR Board Chair Professor Sarah Young has announced that former Director-General of Health Sir Ashley Bloomfield will take up the role of ESR's Interim Chief Executive from Monday 2 September.
"We are now pleased to let you know that Sir Ashley Bloomfield will step in as Interim Chief Executive for ESR from 2 September.
“It is anticipated that Ashley will serve as Interim Chief Executive for approximately six months, while we move to make more permanent arrangements. Ashley will stand down as a director on the ESR Board during this time,” says Professor Young.
For the next week Mark Ottaway will hold the role of Acting Chief Executive, until Ashley steps into the role.
"Many of you will know or have heard of Ashley. As well as becoming a household name as Director-General of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, he has served on the ESR board for the past year. We are delighted that someone of Ashley's calibre and experience is able to step in to lead ESR, working with the Senior Leadership Team.
"It's important through this time that we remain focused on the impact ESR delivers for our communities and future generations – this is at the heart of our strategy and remains the Board's priority.
"On behalf of the Board, I extend our thanks and best wishes to Peter as he moves on from ESR.
"Thank you to Mark and Ashley for taking on these roles in the interim period, and thank you to everyone at ESR for all the great science you continue to deliver for New Zealand," Professor Young says.
Sir Ashley is looking forward to working with the ESR team.
“I have worked with ESR over many years and particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the organisation as a Director over the last year, and am looking forward to working as part of the ESR team as Interim Chief Executive.”