Board of Directors

AFRID welcomes donations, bequeaths and endowments which we combine in an investment portfolio. Funds are used to offer annual grants to research groups and individual researchers throughout Australia. The foundation is entirely not for profit and has a Board of Directors and a Scientific Advisory Board.

Mr. Peter Bailey
Peter joined the board of AFRID in 1995 and was appointed Chairman in 2008 and has since been reappointed chairman in 2012. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with 25 years’ membership and has been a sole practitioner since 1981. Peter’s interest in AFRID was formed during his time as Apex State President Victoria and as member of Vermont Apex Club. In other business, Peter is Chairman of Key Capital Ltd, property developers, and Roadle Pty Ltd, the Orbit Fitness chain of gymnasiums. He is also a director of the Eastern Football League, a committee member of the Surrey Park Football Club, and a life member of the East Burwood Football Club. Peter is married with three children who consume the rest of his time.

Mr. Peter Watts
Peter joined the board of AFRID in 2004 and was appointed Chairman in 2010 and is now Past Chairman. As a life member of the Apex Club of Ringwood, past National Apex Membership Chairman and various state roles for Apex, Peter saw this new role at AFRID as an opportunity to continue working in intellectual disability. Peter has owned and managed his own marketing consultancy, Small Business Marketing Services, for over 18 years. A skill-set based on business analysis, market research, and strategy development has meant that Peter was ideal for the role of Financial Development Subcommittee Chairman, AFRID. His subcommittee has worked hard over the past four years in developing a relationship with the Royal Children’s Hospital, Solve Foundation.

Mr. Paul Reeves
Paul joined the board of AFRID in 1998. He has been the Honorary Secretary for the past two years.  Paul has served the community for over 15 years as an Apexian. Professionally, Paul is a director of a golf course design business that works throughout Australia and Asia; he is also a family man with two young children and enjoys golf as both his profession and his recreation. Having previously been involved in scouts and now AFRID, Paul wishes to continue his service to the community. He believes AFRID does, and will continue to, play a vital role in unlocking the mysteries of intellectual disabilities.

Mr. Phillip Newell
Phillip has been a member of the Board of Directors of AFRID since 2004. Previously he was a member of the Croydon Apex Club, from 1972 to 1985. Phillip is a manager at Hamilton Laboratories and he is also a board member of the Ringwood Rotary Club.

Mr. Peter Hanson
Peter was appointed as Treasurer to the AFRID Board. In business, Peter is an accountant in a small family chartered accounting practice in suburban Melbourne. Tax and business advice are Peter’s areas of professional interest, while sports and travel are some of Peter’s personal hobbies.

Mr. Ian Brown
A highly experienced executive with extensive international experience, Ian’s 25 year career highlights his outstanding ability to build and transform businesses, reduce risk and increase revenues and profitability. With more than 6 years experience in the UK, EU and the US, and in excess of 10 years in Asia, his achievements demonstrate proven success in the leadership of multi-cultural and cross-cultural business enterprises. Ian was previously the CEO of RepRegen Limited (based in London), Managing Director of Avanti Capital Pty Ltd (based in Sydney and Melbourne), COO & CIO of ASX listed CordLife Limited (based in Singapore and Melbourne), Strategic Business Unit Director at NYSE listed Instrumentation Laboratory SpA (based in Milan and New York) and Executive Director at Chromogenix AB / Kabi Pharmacia AB (based in Gothenburg). Ian is a member of the Course Advisory Committee for the Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Degree at the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship (AGSE). Ian has an MBA and is a Fellow of both the AICD and AIM, and is an alumnus of both Melbourne Business School and INSEAD.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ianbrown1

Mr. Robert Warner
Robert joined the board of AFRID in 2010 and is currently serving as a part of the Capital Appeal Task Force. After seventeen years in general management and sales management in the corporate arena, he is now the owner and director of Warner Consulting- a specialist provider of people, strategy and management to the building and design supply industry. Married with two young children, Robert devotes much of his personal time to family and friends. From a very early age, he has been involved with intellectual disability and was honoured when presented with the opportunity to join the AFRID Board.

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