New agri manager at Hill Laboratories

Dr Challis has 16 years international experience in the fields of life science and biotechnology. After completing a PhD in microbiology from the University of Otago, Challis began his career in Sales in the United Kingdom in 1999.

Challis moved to the Netherlands a year later, as brand manager for life science company, Invitrogen. He later worked as general manager Active Motif in both Belgium and in the United Sates.

Most recently Challis was chief commercial officer at Active Motif's Southern California headquarters, where he managed international subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, as well as global operations, business development and sales.

As agricultural divisional manager for Hill Laboratories, Challis will lead a team of 30 people responsible for delivering agricultural testing services for New Zealand's farmers and growers.

"Hill Laboratories has a long-standing reputation in the area of agricultural testing, having started out 30 years ago as a solely agriculture focussed laboratory," he says. "Today agricultural testing makes up about 30% of Hills' core business.

"I look forward to providing leadership to Hill Laboratories' Agricultural division; helping to keep the company on its impressive growth course since its humble beginnings three decades ago."

Hill Laboratories managing director and founder Dr Roger Hill says Challis' mix of scientific and management experience will complement the existing senior management team.

"He brings vital expertise in sales, business development, marketing, research and development, manufacturing and operations; all of which will help Hill Laboratories continue to provide leading analytical laboratory services for our customers."

Having grown up on a farm in New Zealand, Challis and his wife are pleased to be back in New Zealand.

With its main site in Hamilton, the company currently has four sites in the North Island, two in the South Island, and an office in Japan.