Management Team
Dr Brett Ammundsen — Managing Director
Brett has been part of the Biomatters executive team since 2005, and joined the Board of Directors in 2010. As Managing Director he both leads and supports at the interface between the Management Team and the Board of Directors, ensuring alignment of business objectives with the overall strategic direction of the company.
Brett brings to Biomatters more than a decade of experience working with science and technology in business, having held executive, operational and director roles in several early to mid-stage companies. His expertise is in management, integration of science and technology with business goals, and optimising the value of intellectual property in business. In addition to his business experience, he has an established international scientific reputation in advanced materials and energy storage technology, having published more than 50 papers in science and technology journals, as well as contributing to patents and books.
Brett holds a BA degree in History and a PhD in Chemistry and Physics from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Quentin Christie — Chief Operating Officer
Quentin leads the technical, operations, sales and marketing functions, with a focus on scaling process and operational excellence to support Biomatters growth. He ensures the functional resources of the business are tightly coordinated to support the growth of Biomatters through in market and online channels.
Quentin brings a wealth of experience in businesses such as Salesforce.com, Telecom New Zealand, Telstra Clear and Zeacom. He has assisted numerous early to mid-stage companies and corporates alike to scale and expand globally.
Quentin's core strengths are in technology sales and marketing and people management, and he has a pragmatic approach in working through operational hurdles.
A graduate of Auckland University and Waikato with a qualifications in Business Management, and Music, Quentin is a native New Zealander but has spent significant time developing businesses in Japan, and across Asia pacific.
Mark Talbot — Chief Financial Officer
Mark provides strategic leadership and financial governance to support Biomatters programme of expansion and growth.
Mark has held a wide range of international roles including, Ernst & Young Business Services group with offshore hedge funds, investment holding companies and trusts. Management of Mutual Risk Management, a NYSE listed Bermuda-based insurance company and managing the Bermuda office of a Moscow-based investment bank.
Since moving to New Zealand, Mark has provided consulting, financial management, strategic input and accounting services to start-up /high-growth companies in the biotech, chemno-tech and other sectors, including Proacta Therapeutics, winner of the NZ Biotech Company of the year at the NZ Hi Tech Awards.
Mark is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA)
Andrew Steel — GM Commercial Operations
Andrew brings a broad range of experience across several industries to the management of Biomatters commercial operations, including finance, legal, human resources and support for its expansion plans.
He has a proven passion for helping high growth companies to succeed. His successes include co-founding an award winning start-up company in the entertainment sector in London and being part of the 42 Below team through their sale to Bacardi. His experience also includes time working with Trelise Cooper and at the London Stock Exchange.
He is a member of the Ice Angels investment group and an active supporter of the University of Auckland's "Spark" entrepreneurship programme.
Andrew holds a B.A. Hons degree from Cambridge University, having studied Law.
Grant Kilkolly — GM Technology and Software Development
Grant leads the Technology and development of Biomatters products and services. His role ensures the provision of world class software development and services to Biomatters expanding global client base. This includes formulating strategic technical direction, overseeing core infrastructure and managing the Biomatters software and services team.
With extensive experience in the Information Technology industry Grant leverages his strengths and in-depth understanding of software development and delivery to lead deliver outstanding results to clients.
Grant's career started in New Zealand technology business, and has since had significant acheivements working with leading companies, such as Orion Health to develop in markets across Australasia, North America and the UK.
Grant is a graduate of Massey University with qualifications in both Computer Science and Business Administration.