Former Coles CEO joins Starpharma board

Starpharma has appointed prominent Melbourne businessman Peter Bartels as a director and chairman of its board of directors, replacing Richard Oliver, who has retired.

The former CEO and managing director of both Coles Myer and Fosters Brewing Company started his corporate career in the pharmaceutical industry, working at both Abbott Laboratories and DHA Pharmaceuticals.

Starpharma CEO Dr John Raff said Bartels' high profile in both business and government circles would help raise the profile of Starpharma and of biotechnology in general.

"He's a man with real drive and passion, and will keep us moving on our toes," Raff said, noting that Bartels had attended his first board meeting on Wednesday. "Already he's very active and doesn't do anything by half measures."

The appointment is Bartels' first involvement with a company since retiring, although he is chairman of a number of Federal sports committees and organisations, a director of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Melbourne University's Business School, and until recently chaired the Women's and Children's Health Service.

Bartels said that he had consulted widely before accepting the offer to join Starpharma's board.

"I'm very excited -- I think the company has excellent opportunities and the biotech area is very promising," Bartels said.

Bartels said he hoped his involvement with Starpharma would also be beneficial to the biotech industry in general, and said he would use opportunities such as speaking engagements to keep introducing the topic.

"We need the government to keep its interest in the biotech sector," he said.