Management Board

Donald Pooke, Management Board Chair
Dr Pooke was part of the Industrial Research (IRL) HTS team from 1988 until 2004 when he joined HTS-110 on its formation as Chief Technology Officer, progressing to CEO in 2008. He has over 20 years experience in R&D, design and development of HTS magnets, many of which are world-first HTS products. With over 45 refereed publications and 6 patents in the HTS area, Donald holds a PhD degree from the University of Cambridge and undertook post-doctoral work at University of Tokyo.

Robert Buckley, Management Board Member
Dr Buckley FRSNZ is a Distinguished Scientist and Superconductivity Platform Manager at Industrial Research Limited (IRL) and a member of the General Cable Superconductor Ltd board. Over the past 15 years, he has managed the commercialisation of high temperature superconductors, and has been a leading researcher in the synthesis and discovery of high-temperature superconductor materials and in investigating their properties. Among his other achievements, Dr Buckley is a co-inventor of the material known as Bi-2223, which is the foundation material used for making high-temperature superconductor wires.

Andrew Priest, Management Board Member
Mr Priest has had a fifteen-year career in international business across industries encompassing building products, fast moving consumer goods, tourism, mining and energy, and high tech.  Global experience includes a senior position for Carter Holt Harvey based in the United States where, under his leadership, his team built a $40 million business from start-up across a number of international markets.  Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waikato, a Master of Forestry Science from the University of Canterbury, and has attended an executive education finance program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.  He is currently CEO of General Cable Superconductors Limited.

Simon Arnold, Chief Executive
Mr Arnold is MD of arnold.co.nz that focuses on technology commercialisation, managing investments in technology businesses, and the linkages between science and technology policy and economic development.  He is a past President of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce; Chair Workbridge Inc Board – helping people with disabilities into the work force; Director of five start-up businesses (including Puku Ltd and Asia Pacific Training Ltd).  He has previously held roles as the policy and strategy advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, CEO of the NZ Manufacturers Federation and Deputy Government Printer.