The George Institute bolsters Board to support global impact

The George Institute for Global Health appoints two new members to its Board of Directors - Russell Aboud and Paul McClintock AO.

The new Directors join the Institute as it plans to broaden its impact on the burgeoning global burden of chronic disease and injuries, in particular by focusing on improving health systems to better manage these conditions.

Mr Aboud brings decades of investment and business strategy, while Mr McClintock brings many years as a senior advisor to the Australian Prime Minister and in business.

Michael Hawker AM, Chairman of the Board, welcomes the appointment of Mr Aboud and Mr McClintock saying their extensive business and government acumen will make a significant contribution to the Institute’s quest to improve the health of millions of people worldwide.

“Expanding our Board of Directors is critical to the work of the Institute,” Mr Hawker said, “The ‘on the ground’ research expertise and cutting edge medical insights of our researchers, coupled with a world class Board, positions the Institute as a global leader in medical research providing real world solutions for improving healthcare practices and policy.”

“The growing global burden of chronic diseases and injuries, such as heart disease and stroke, pose one of the greatest hindrances to future economic growth and prosperity in Australia and around the world, and The George Institute is at the forefront of research,” Mr Hawker said.

Today more young and middle-aged adults are dying and suffering from chronic disease and injuries, as these become the dominant causes of death and disability worldwide. By 2030, it is estimated that non communicable diseases will claim 50 million lives a year. The global economic burden of non-communicable diseases is estimated at US$6.3 trillion in 2010 and is expected to rise to $13 trillion by 2030.

About the new Non-Executive Directors

Russell Aboud

Russell Aboud is the Executive Chairman and a founding partner of Manikay Partners, a New York based multi strategy global investment firm. Mr Aboud has 27 years’ experience in the global investment industry both domestically and internationally, spending the majority of his career at the global investment bank UBS as a Managing Director in Sydney and London. After retiring from UBS he became Chairman of Ord Minnett and also a Senior Advisor to JP Morgan Australia from 2005 to 2008. He also sat on the Board of ASX Ltd from 2005 to 2013. Prior to his finance career Mr Aboud, a graduate of the University of Sydney, was involved in medical practice.

Paul McClintock AO

Paul McClintock AO is Chairman of Myer Holdings Limited, Thales Australia, NSW Ports, and I-MED Network, and a Director of St Vincent’s Health Australia. The breadth of Mr McClintock’s professional experience spans across government, health, and industry with former positions including Chairman of Medibank Private Limited, the COAG Reform Council, the Expert Panel of the Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund, Intoll Management Limited, Symbion Health, Affinity Health, Ashton Mining, Plutonic Resources and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research. From 2000 to 2003 Mr McClintock played a critical advisory role to the Prime Minister of Australia on strategic directions for policy formulation in his capacity as Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Cabinet Policy Unit reporting directly to the Prime Minister.