Veteran business leader welcomed to SAHMRI Board

SAHMRI’s new Board Director Jeff Ellison is inspired by what he sees as the institute’s untapped potential to help people – and he’s not just talking about medical research breakthroughs.

“SAHMRI is the leader in medical research in South Australia and has so much to offer the Australian people,” Mr Ellison said.

“I am passionate about research and innovation. Medical research not only saves, it improves the quality of life for everyone – from a health perspective but also through the economic activity it generates.

“Already, SAHMRI research saves our state health budget around $110m a year. My focus is helping SAHMRI identify more strategic partnerships and commercialisation opportunities that deliver research outcomes even faster to Australians.”

Mr Ellison began his career in private practice as a Chartered Accountant. His decades of experience, primarily in the tourism and transport industries, sees him bring a wealth of commercial, governance, economics and finance expertise to SAHMRI.

“SAHMRI is so fortunate to welcome Jeff to our Board,” SAHMRI Board Chair Hieu Van Le said.

“He is such a high calibre professional with great knowledge across the commercial business sector.

“I have no doubt Jeff’s skills and dedication to community service will be a great asset to our Board, to SAHMRI and to health and medical research generally for our state.”

Mr Ellison’s appointment continues the evolution of SAHMRI’s leadership to expand and diversify the skills of its Board.

Prominent business leader Karen Hays was SAHMRI’s most recent appointee before Mr Ellison, joining the Board in September 2024. In late 2022 a trio of appointments were made concurrently with seasoned health executive Dr Tony Sherbon, prominent philanthropist Kathryn House and eminent researcher Prof Kate Schroder joining the Board.

Mr Ellison is just days into his official Board tenure, having attended his first meeting on Thursday 30 January, but is not wasting a moment.

“More than 12 million Australians have a chronic disease, there’s lots to be done!,” he said.