Management Team
Dr Brett Ammundsen — Director and Chief Executive Officer
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 and SVP, Global Business Operations
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.
Andrew Steel — Chief Financial Officer and SVP, Corporate 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.
Karin Fredrikson – SVP, US Operations
Karin joined Biomatters in February 2012 to take responsibility for running Biomatters'operations in the USA. Karin was formerly Director of Business Development for 454
Sequencing – a division of Roche Diagnostics. She also held a Key Account Manager position with 454 Sequencing for several years, and brings a wealth of industry experience and
contacts to the Biomatters team.
Karin holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
and an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University.
Grant Kilkolly — VP, Technology
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.
Peter Meintjes - VP, Business Development
Dr Peter Meintjes joined Biomatters in 2009 as the Market Development Manager and was responsible for pioneering the in-market sales, marketing, partnership and other business development activities globally, with a focus on the USA and the EU. With the continued expansion and success of Biomatters he now continues in a business development role with an additional focus on scientific product development.
With over five years' experience in life science research, he brings scientific expertise that allows him to identify novel effective approaches to marketing, sales and business development. His scientific experience brings the ability to communicate with customers, business partners and in-market employees on an extremely detailed level in regard to the products and research workflows.
Peter holds a B.Sc (Biology), M.Sc (Biology) and Ph.D. (Biology) from the University of Auckland, NZ, and worked for a year at the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Studies (NZIAS).