Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has announced the appointment of Pete Hodgson as the new Chair of the Callaghan Innovation Board.
Callahan Innovation is the Government’s business innovation agency and offers several services aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of research.
Mr Hodgson is a former Minister of Research, Science and Technology and Chief Executive of Otago Innovation.
The Minister said she was delighted he has agreed to use his experience in science and technology-based innovation to lead the Board and provide strategic direction to Callaghan Innovation.
She thanked outgoing Chair Sue Suckling for her work over the past five years in leading the establishment and growth of the agency.
Mr Hodgson will begin his new role on April 1 for a period of three years.
It’s not the first job he has landed since the change of government.
Last month Health Minister David Clark sacked the Dunedin Hospital rebuild chairman, Hawke’s Bay consultant Andrew Blair, and appointed Mr Hodgson to lead the project.
Dr Clark told the Otago Daily Times the rebuild needed to be led by a local person.
Mr Hodgson was Dr Clark’s predecessor as MP in Dunedin North, serving from 1990 to 2011.