After almost six years at the helm and more than 20 years in senior executive roles, CEO Dr Warren Parker has announced his retirement.

“It has been a privilege to lead Scion through a positive period of change including implementing the CRI Taskforce reforms and strengthening industry, iwi and international relationships.

“The science at Scion uniquely applies across the value chain, is internationally competitive and underpins an increasingly strong technology commercialisation pipeline that will support the growth of New Zealand’s bioeconomy. It is an appropriate time for me to hand over to a new leader to take Scion through its next phase of growth and impact,” said Dr Parker.

The focus for Dr Parker is now on directorships, grandchildren and checking off his ‘bucket list’.

Dr Parker will stay on as CEO until a replacement is found in 2017.