Acting CEO for Waikato District Health Board
Thursday April 5, 2007 - Embargoed till 9am

Hamilton chartered accountant Jerry Rickman will take over as Waikato District Health Board acting chief executive when current CEO Malcolm Stamp leaves next month.

Mr Rickman will work three and a half days each week to provide leadership for the board's executive team and staff.

The appointment was announced by board chairman Michael Ludbrook today.

Mr Ludbrook said the board was now short-listing a number of national and international candidates for the CEO position made vacant following Mr Stamp's resignation in February.

"We would expect to be interviewing candidates mid next month," he said.

How long Mr Rickman's appointment lasts depends on the notice period the successful candidate would have to give but was unlikely to be for more than six months, said Mr Ludbrook.

"We've got a very busy team at Waikato District Health Board. This would enable them to focus on their respective areas and get on with their jobs," said Mr Ludbrook

"Jerry's local and he is very well respected in the community."

Mr Rickman today said he was happy to work with the district health board and to be of assistance during the transition period between appointments.

Mr Rickman's experience includes providing advice to organisations on strategic planning, marketing and business planning.

He started his professional accounting career in 1966 and was a partner with Hamilton-based Beattie Rickman (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) from 1974 to 2006. He worked for Price Waterhouse in Canada and England from 1970 to 1973 and was joint managing director of Touche Ross during the 1980s and managing partner of Beattie Rickman until 2004.

He is currently board chairman of Learning Media Ltd, Waikato Regional Airport Ltd, HG Leach & co, TRT Ltd and Katolyst Ltd as well as being a director of Inframax Construction Ltd and Vital English Ltd.

Mr Stamp has been appointed chief executive of a new London health provider agency. He started with the DHB on July 1 last year and was appointed following an extensive international search.

ENDS