JDRF Announces New Chair of the Board
JDRF Australia today announces that Ian Narev, the current Managing Director and CEO of SEEK, will become Chair of the board, effective immediately.
Mr Narev succeeds current Chair Richard Goyder AO, who has retired from the Board after five successful years in the role. Richard will continue to remain as Chair of the JDRF Advisory Board.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Narev stated, “I am grateful to my board colleagues at JDRF for this wonderful opportunity. I have had a long association with Mike Wilson and his team and am inspired by JDRF’s progress against its mission to create a world without type one diabetes. As the world marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, I know the T1D community cannot wait that long again for the next breakthrough. I look forward to working with other board members, JDRF staff and volunteers to deliver on our ambitious agenda in the coming years.”
Mr Narev, who is currently also co-chair of JDRF’s Advisory Board, brings to the role significant executive experience across banking, technology and education. He is currently the Managing Director and CEO of SEEK in Asia Pacific and the Americas, spearheading an innovative technology company focused on helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and help organisations succeed.
Commenting on the appointment, JDRF CEO, Mike Wilson OAM says, “On behalf of the more than 125,000 Australians and their families managing type one diabetes every day, I welcome Ian to his new role as Chairman. As we head into a new year, with a renewed focus brought on by the centenary of the discovery of insulin, we are fortunate to have someone of Ian’s skill and experience leading our Board.”
Mr Wilson paid special tribute to outgoing Chair Mr Goyder, who has had a significant and long-lasting impact on type one diabetes in his five years in the role.
“In the five years on the board, Richard has helped drive JDRF Australia to new heights. In that time, we have seen increased Government support for research through the Clinical Research Network and Targeted Translation Research Accelerator, expanded access to lifesaving technologies, and new innovative fundraising models developed. Richard’s guidance, counsel and leadership have been instrumental in these achievements. The type one community – patients, parents, carers and researchers – have benefitted substantially thanks to Richard’s leadership and I thank him for his diligent hard work and service to the cause of this community,” Mr Wilson said.
Commenting on his time at JDRF, Mr Goyder stated “JDRF and its mission is one that is close to my heart, and I will always remain an advocate and supporter of this wonderful organisation and its vital mission. I feel now, with the recent confirmation of a new 5-year strategy, alongside the availability of a leader of Ian’s calibre, to be the right time to step away from my formal role as Chair. I look forward to seeing Ian, Mike and his team take JDRF forward and will be an ardent supporter of the team as we get closer to delivering a world without T1D.
