Rua Bioscience CEO Rob Mitchell to retire - Anna Stove appointed Managing Director

Rua Bioscience (NZX:RUA) Chief Executive Officer Rob Mitchell has advised the Board of his intention to retire from his role effective from 1 September 2022.

Rua Chair Trevor Burt said that Rob Mitchell has built on the company’s solid foundations, leading Rua through significant milestones and developing new strategic partnerships.

“Since his appointment in February 2020 Rob has been instrumental in building a world-class team and growing new strategic partnerships. Under Rob’s leadership Rua has gained the certifications and licences needed to achieve New Zealand market entry and develop new market opportunities,” said Burt.

“The Board would like to thank Rob for his leadership of Rua. Rob has continued to deliver on the vision of Rua’s co-founders, keeping kaupapa and community at the heart of the business.”

Rob Mitchell said he is proud of what Rua has achieved, transforming Rua into a pharmaceutical company with the tools needed to deliver on its global strategy and social mission.

“I’m proud of the milestones Rua has achieved in recent years, in particular the successful transition from a co-founder led business to a NZX listed company, developing and launching Rua’s first product and establishing New Zealand’s first compassionate access programme,” said Mitchell.

“It has been an honour to work for a company with an explicit mission to benefit its founding community, the social mission of Rua attracted me to the company, and it was a privilege to continue to deliver on the company’s kaupapa. I remain confident that the commercial success of Rua Bioscience will enable the founding vision to be realised.

“The past two and a half years have been exciting and full on at Rua, retirement will be too, but with the fish biting and my DIY project list shortening.”

While the Board looks to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer, Rua Director Anna Stove will lead the business as Managing Director.

Anna joined Rua Bioscience’s Board in 2019 with a successful track record in leading and driving transformational change within the pharmaceutical sector. She has held various senior executive roles within New Zealand, the Asia Pacific and Europe, most recently as NZ General Manager for GlaxoSmithKline. Anna is also the Deputy Chair of TAB NZ & an Independent Director of Pacific Edge Ltd.

“The Board would like to thank Anna for stepping into the role of Managing Director. Her expertise in the pharmaceutical sector and deep knowledge of the company and the domestic and global medicinal cannabis sector will enable Rua to maintain momentum,” said Trevor Burt.