The UniServices Board is getting a new Chair. Professor Frank Bloomfield has been appointed by Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland Council as part of his five-year appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research).

Frank is a Professor in Neonatology and was previously Director of the Liggins Institute. He has worked clinically for many years as a Consultant Neonatologist at Auckland City Hospital. He replaces former board chair Professor Jim Metson.

He says he is looking forward to working with UniServices and understanding much more about our work.

“What I would like to bring is both striving to get greater recognition for the work that UniServices does beyond just bringing in revenue. Obviously bringing in revenue is extremely important, but there are lots of other activities that UniServices does through its business units and commercialisation arm that also are very important for the University group as a whole.”

“I think we could recognise and sing the praises of those activities more and highlight those more and bring greater recognition to the University group.”

Frank wants to continue the work in increasing the alignment between the University and UniServices so that when possible and where appropriate we are approaching things in the same way for the benefit of the overall university group and increase our research output.

“Great research brings huge benefits to society in many areas. It is the engine behind advances in society, advances in technology, advances in healthcare, and also advances in the economy. The return on investment for every research dollar is always impressive. In health research, it’s around $5 for every dollar invested.”

“It helps the University, it helps all of our stakeholders, it helps the community.”

Jim departs the role proud that UniServices has been a major asset to the University of Auckland, and is very successful in what it delivers, even compared to our Australian counterparts.

“UniServices has continued to evolve over its life with what it does and how it does it. It’s always a work in progress and that’s part of the challenge for the Board in terms of understanding the changing nature of what the University needs of its wholly owned subsidiary.”

Jim is a materials scientist and was founder of the Light Metals Research Centre at the University, a founding member of the MacDiarmid Institute for Materials Science and Nanotechnology and was MBIEs first Chief Science Advisor.  He will continue in a role as Special Advisor Newmarket Campus.

UniServices Chief Executive Dr Andy Shenk says he is looking forward to working with Frank and is thanks Jim for his long service to the Board.

“Under Jim’s time as a Board member and Chair UniServices has continued to flourish and grow. I wish him all the best in his new role.

“Frank says he will be a frequent visitor to the UniServices offices, so say kia ora if you see him on a visit.”