Board of directors

Alison Deans

Chair

Appointed to the Board 1 January 2015 and as Chair 21 August 2021: Chair of the Nomination Committee.

Background: Experienced non-executive director and former chief executive with more than 30 years' experience leading and governing technology-enabled businesses across e-commerce, media and financial services in Australia and internationally. Former Chief Executive Officer of Netus, Hoyts Cinemas, ecorp and eBay Australia and New Zealand. Strong track record of leading digital transformation and growth and extensive experience overseeing technology strategy, capital allocation, risk management and financial performance through her ASX-listed board roles.

Her board experience spans highly regulated industries including healthcare, financial services and advanced technology, providing strong governance capability across strategic planning, cyber and technology oversight, digital innovation, transformation, remuneration and risk management. Through her leadership of global businesses, Alison also brings valuable international commercial perspective and insight into evolving customer expectations and emerging technologies.

Other boards: Director, Ramsay Health Care Limited and Fitness Passport Pty Ltd. Chair of Calix Limited. Director of The Observership Program.

Former directorships: SCEGGS Darlinghurst Limited, Westpac Banking Corporation, Insurance Australia Group Limited, Deputy Group Pty Ltd and Social Ventures Australia. Former Member of AICD Corporate Governance Committee.

Qualifications: BA, MBA, GAICD

 

 

Dig Howitt

CEO & President and Managing Director

Appointed to the Board 14 November 2017 and as CEO & President 3 January 2018: Member of the Medical Science and Product and Services Innovation Committees.

Background: Joined Cochlear in 2000, having held a broad range of senior leadership roles across the Company including Chief Operating Officer, President, Asia Pacific and SVP, Manufacturing and Logistics. His experience spans every stage of Cochlear’s value chain from medical technology and strategy, through to research and development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs and commercialisation. This background underpins strong strategic capability, built through long-standing executive leadership across Cochlear’s global operations and multi-regional teams. Prior to joining Cochlear, Dig worked for Boston Consulting Group and held a General Management role at Boral.

Dig is a Fellow of Engineers Australia. He was appointed as President of Cochlear on 31 July 2017 and became CEO & President on 3 January 2018. As CEO, he oversees a complex risk environment spanning geopolitical, operational and regulatory risk globally.

Qualifications: BE (Hons), MBA

 

 

Caroline Clarke

Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board 2 September 2024: Member of the People and Culture, Nomination and Product and Services Innovation Committees.

Background: Over 20 years of executive leadership roles in healthcare and consumer technology and services, leading global businesses and large, multi-country teams. Caroline has extensive experience in and brings an international perspective to global strategy, commercial leadership, innovation and governance and is recognised for her track record of driving digital transformation in health systems and patient care.

Caroline spent more than two decades with Philips, including serving as Executive Vice President of global Consumer and Health Care businesses, responsible for global strategy and innovation development and delivery. Caroline led the overall Consumer and Health Care businesses across ASEAN Pacific and was responsible for businesses across 14 countries in the region, overseeing a diverse portfolio of medical technologies, healthcare solutions and consumer health products. Her international leadership experience provides valuable insight into global healthcare systems, changing patient and customer expectations and regulatory environments.

Other boards: Nil.

Former directorships: Director, Royal Schiphol Group.

Qualifications: BA, GAICD

 

 

Sir Michael Daniell, KNZM

Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board 1 January 2020: Member of the Audit and Risk, Medical Science, Product and Services Innovation and Nomination Committees.

Background: Leader in the medical device industry with more than 40 years’ experience across healthcare, engineering, research and development, product innovation and commercialisation. Michael has deep expertise in developing and scaling medical technologies and leading global healthcare businesses in highly regulated international markets.

Michael was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer from 2001 to 2016 at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd. During his tenure, he led the company’s global strategy and operations, including the research, design, development, manufacture and commercialisation of innovative products and systems for use in respiratory care, acute care and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Other boards: Director, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd. Director, Tait International Limited. Director, Medical Research Commercialisation Fund.

Former directorships: Advisory Board Chair, Te Titoki Mataora (NZ).

Qualifications: BE (Hons) Electrical, CMInstD (NZ)

 

 

Michael del Prado

Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board 1 January 2022: Chair of the Product and Services Innovation Committee. Member of the Medical Science, Nomination, and People and Culture Committees.

Background: More than 38 years’ experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. He brings expertise in global strategy, healthcare innovation, commercialisation, international operations and organisational leadership, developed through senior executive roles across diverse global markets.

He held executive leadership positions with Johnson & Johnson across its medical device businesses in the US and served as Group Chairman of Ethicon, a global leader in medical devices and technologies focused on advancing surgical technologies and improving patient outcomes. Throughout his executive career, he was responsible for developing and executing global strategy, driving innovation and commercialisation. His extensive international experience provides valuable insight into global healthcare systems, evolving market dynamics, regulatory environments and strategic partnerships.

Other boards: Director, Ambu A/S and a Member of the Board of Trustees of Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio.

Former directorships: Co-lead Director, Verb Surgical. Advisory Board, Singapore Management University Lee Kong Chian School of Business.

Qualifications: BSc Industrial Engineering, MBA, MA

 

 

Richard Freudenstein

Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board 25 August 2025: Chair of the People & Culture Committee. Member of the Nomination and Product & Services Innovation Committees.

Background: Experienced executive and non-executive director in technology, digital transformation, strategy and corporate governance, Richard brings great experience leading and managing complex businesses operating in regulated industries.

Richard has held senior executive leadership roles across Australia's leading media and digital businesses, including as CEO of The Australian and News Digital Media at News Ltd, and CEO & Managing Director of Foxtel. During his tenure in these roles, he led the transformation of traditional media businesses into digitally enabled, customer-focused organisations. This experience has given him a strong background in operating complex, highly regulated businesses, developing long-term growth strategies and leading businesses through transformation.

Other boards: Non-executive Director, REA Group Limited and Coles Group Limited. Board member, Cricket Australia.

Former directorships: Director, Ten Network Holdings Ltd and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. Chair, Appen Limited. Deputy Chancellor, University of Sydney.

Qualifications: LLB (Hons), BEc

 

 

Karen Penrose

Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board 1 July 2022: Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. Member of the People and Culture, Nomination and Product and Services Innovation Committees.

Background: Experienced non-executive director since 2014, serving on the boards of a number of ASX100 companies across multiple industries, including health, property and financial services. Karen is an experienced audit and risk committee chair and chair of due diligence committees for mergers and acquisitions and capital raisings, with expertise in financial management, enterprise risk, internal controls, sustainability and technology transformation. In addition, she currently chairs a people and culture committee, contributing board-level oversight of organisational culture and remuneration.

Karen has had an extensive executive career in senior leadership and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) roles. This includes 20 years in banking with CBA and HSBC, and eight years as a listed-company CFO. These roles have provided significant experience in capital allocation, corporate strategy, and navigating complex regulatory environments.

Other boards: Director, Ramsay Health Care Limited, Bank of Queensland Limited and Charter Hall Group. Director, Ramsay General De Sante (associated with directorship of Ramsay Health Care Limited) and Marshall Investments Pty Limited. She also serves in a voluntary capacity as a Director on Golf Australia’s risk and audit committee.

Former directorships: Vicinity Centres, Estia Health Ltd and Reece Limited.

Qualifications: BCom, CPA, FAICD

 

 

Christine McLoughlin, AM

Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board 1 November 2020: Member of the People and Culture, Audit and Risk, Nomination and Product and Services Innovation Committees.

Background: Experienced chair and non-executive director with more than 15 years’ experience on the boards of ASX Top 50 Companies in financial services, resources, health insurance and infrastructure sectors. As well as 25 years in financial services and telecommunications leadership positions, Christine brings deep expertise in corporate governance, strategic and digital transformation and stakeholder leadership. During her tenure as Chairman of Suncorp, she led significant strategic transformations in the Australian financial services sector, overseeing long-term strategy, consolidation actions, capital allocation, governance and shareholder value creation.

As Chairman of Aware Super, she brings further experience in stewardship and investment oversight, gained from overseeing a highly regulated sector. She has been active in the not-for-profit sector over her entire career.

Other boards: Chairman Aware Super. Member of the Australian Government’s Takeover Panel and Chair and Co-founder of the Minerva Network.

Former directorships: Chairman and Director of Suncorp Group Limited. Director, nib Holding Limited, Whitehaven Coal Limited and Spark Infrastructure. The Chancellor of the University of Wollongong. Chairman and Director of Venues NSW and Chairman of Destination NSW.

Qualifications: BA, LLB (Hons), Hon DUOW, FAICD

 

 

Prof Bruce Robinson, AC

Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board 13 December 2016: Chair of Medical Science Committee. Member of the Audit and Risk, Nomination and Product and Services Innovation Committees.

Background: Over 35 years' leadership experience in clinical medicine, research and development (R&D), healthcare strategy, leading multidisciplinary research teams and the translation of scientific innovation into improved patient outcomes. Bruce’s experience spans the full innovation pathway, from fundamental scientific research and clinical investigation through to commercialisation and healthcare implementation. His R&D leadership extends to the corporate sector as Chair of Mayne Pharma Group Limited and its Science, Technology and Medical Committee, overseeing R&D and innovation across the company's pharmaceutical portfolio.

He holds a number of senior academic, clinical and research leadership positions, including Co-Head of the Cancer Genetics Laboratory at the Kolling Institute for Medical Research and Chair of Research, North Sydney Local Health District. He was the former Dean of The University of Sydney's Sydney Medical School and Head of Medicine at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital.

Other boards: Chair, Mayne Pharma Group Limited, Director, Healius Limited and CS Pharmaceuticals Limited. Council Member, Hoc Mai Foundation. Advisor to MinterEllison.

Former directorships: Chairman, National Health and Medical Research Council and Medical Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce. Director, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Qbiotics Group Limited and Ecofibre Limited.

Qualifications: MD, MSc, FRACP, FAAHMS, FAICD