New Gradipore CEO makes his mark with restructure

The new US-based CEO of bioseparations specialist Gradipore has wasted no time in making his mark on the company, announcing changes to its management structure during a visit to Australia.

Robert Lieb, who was formerly the chair of the company's US subsidiary Gradipore Inc, said his first priority on taking up the CEO role was to restructure the organisation to better address its customers.

"The changes reflect our commitment to doing fewer things and doing them better, and increasing the emphasis on commercialising the company's considerable intellectual property and building shareholder value," Lieb said.

The changes are:

• Tim Wawn (previously CEO and managing director) is now chief operating officer and will also head Gradipore's Australian operations.
• Dr Hari Nair (previously CEO of Gradipore Inc) will head the company's US operations and also serve as general manager of its commercial separations business unit, which markets the Gradiflow separation technology.
• John Manusu will remain executive chairman, but has also been appointed strategic adviser to the CEO, with an eye towards tracking down new business opportunities for Gradipore around the world.

Gradipore is still searching for an Australian-based independent chairperson, but expects to make the appointment within the next three months.

In April, the company unveiled its new strategy to become a global, multi-billion dollar organisation.