Greg Mirams

Managing Director

Founder and Managing Director of Techion Greg Mirams has a passion for innovation and farming, propelling him to the forefront of digital diagnosis and data management. 

A respected figure in the agritech industry, Greg is driven by a belief in the power of data technology to solve critical issues facing our world. Greg led the Techion team to develop FECPAKG2 an affordable, portable, easy-to-use digital microscope and data platform that enhances production animal health by providing digital analysis to allow farmers and animal health specialists to make informed treatment decisions. 

Greg's vision for Techion extends beyond animal health into digital intelligence for people and our environment. Under his leadership, Techion has become renowned for its cutting-edge FECPAKG2 diagnostic tool that assists farmers and which is being extended to offer affordable and timely diagnosis and data at the point of care for people and our environment. Greg is currently leading an innovative healthcare project involving Awanui – New Zealand’s largest diagnostic provider and Microsoft. The project will validate an end to end solution for digital microscopy tests on Techion’s platform. 

Previously, Greg has led and contributed to global and NZ parasite management projects including; the S3 Project (Sheep Sustainability Strategy), the Cattletech Project, Sainsbury’s FECPAKG2 Research Project and the EU Parasol Project. He has been a member of the WormWise extension committee. In 2005, Greg received the Sir Arthur Ward Award from the New Zealand Society for Animal Production for his contribution to research in animal production. 

Under Greg’s guidance, Techion has partnered with Sainsbury’s UK, Ghent University, Cornell University, the Swiss Tropical Public Health Institute and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to name a few. 

Collaboration with global research institutions and industry partners ensure Greg continues to push the boundaries of what's possible to make the world a better place. 

Board

Ian Boddy

Board Chair

Dr Ian Boddy, has a PhD in organic chemistry, was a Research Fellow at Cambridge University and a Senior Research Leader with the large German agrochemicals company, Schering AG. He is also well-known for his time with the New Zealand Crown Research Institute AgResearch as GM Commercial. He heads his own consultancy specialising in technology commercialisation and IP management. He is a Member of the NZ Institute of Directors and is a director of several companies.

Peter Reidie

Director

Peter is a business leader with a track record of success garnered via CEO and General Manager roles in Australia, USA and New Zealand. His most recent role was CEO of New Zealand’s largest publicly listed fishing company, Sanford Limited. His resume includes major leadership roles in the primary, FMCG and brewing sectors with well-known Australasian businesses such as; Farmlands, Goodman Fielder, Arnotts and Lion. His experience spans finance, sales and marketing and executive roles and he has an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of Otago.

Peter has a large extended family predominantly based in the south of New Zealand’s South Island and has recently completed a holiday home in Glenorchy, overlooking Lake Wakitipu and the Humboldt mountains.  He’s enjoying this home with his three children and is making the most of the opportunity to pursue his passionate interests including; the New Zealand outdoors, fly fishing, wine, cooking and entertaining friends and family at this beautiful location.

Cheryl Dhillon

UK Board Chair

Cheryl Dhillon is a UK-based Director with more than 29 years of comprehensive strategic and commercial experience in international blue-chip pharmaceutical organisations. Having held senior roles such as Financial Controller and Director for global companies across Europe and Asia, she boasts a proven track record in business strategy and profit and loss optimisation during start-up, growth, and major transformations. Her career includes significant tenures at notable firms like Ares Serono, Elan Pharmaceuticals, Lorantis Ltd, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe.. Cheryl is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds an MBA from the University of Hertfordshire, she honed her people development skills after training as an Executive Coach with the University of Strathclyde. Her experience ensures Cheryl is a valuable asset to any enterprise focusing on significant financial and operational advancement.

Executive team

Brent Pownall

General Manager New Zealand

Drawing upon significant international sales experience across health, life sciences and agriculture sectors, General Manager of New Zealand Brent Pownall leads the NZ arm of the business, joining in mid-2024.

Brent's strengths include international business development, strategic planning and execution, market analysis, customer relationship management and team leadership. He is passionate about bringing innovative and life-changing diagnostic solutions to market while building long-term partnerships with customers and stakeholders to deliver value for the company. His mission is to expand the reach, impact and range of Techion products and services and to contribute to the company's vision of using diagnostics for animals, people and the environment to make the world a better place. 

Prior to joining Techion Brent was VP Commercial (APAC) for Pacific Edge Ltd, a global leader in cancer diagnostics. He led the commercialisation strategy and growth of the company within the Asia-Pacific region from 2013. With more than 20 years of experience in senior executive sales and marketing roles, he has a proven track record of delivering results in biotech/pharma, agribusiness, manufacturing, and food processing industries.

Eurion Thomas

General Manager (UK)

Eurion joined Techion UK at its formation in 2014 following a career with Innovis, who were Techion’s UK agents until that point. Having been brought up on a sheep farm in West Wales, he has always been passionate about all things sheep and held various posts at Innovis from its formation as a spin-out from Aberystwyth University in 2001.

As Innovis’ Operations Manager, Eurion had responsibility for parasitology and genotyping services. He specialises in parasite control and has delivered consultancy and training to farmers across the UK as well as managing the sales of the original FECPAK system. Eurion’s role grew to include Technical Sales Manager in Wales for Innovis Breeding Sheep, a farmer-facing role that supported the delivery of breeding/genotyping services and in the sale of performance recorded sheep.

As well as managing the European business, Eurion also has oversight of many research projects such as the commercialisation of Fluke testing, Protozoan cyst differentiation with RAFT, the Sainsbury’s FECPAKG2 project and HCC’s WAARD Project.

Stewart West

Australian General Manager

With experience across banking, government, project delivery and client management Stewart brings a wealth of skills to Techion’s Australian business.

As our advance guard in Australia, Stewart is responsible for establishing and delivering outstanding service for all FECPAKG2 users, while helping find new customers. He is also charged with developing research and commercial partnerships to enable Techion’s diagnostic technology to reach its potential by undertaking testing on people and the environment.

Stewart’s ability to quickly diagnose an issue, his commitment to teamwork and his warm, friendly style will be invaluable as Techion’s Australian Market Manager.

Kelvin Kite

Group Chief Financial Officer

Kelvin has a broad range of accounting and management experience in New Zealand, Australia and the United States which includes work in the private, public and not for profit sectors. Most recently Kelvin was the Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Executive for Waitaki District Health Services.

Craig de Beer

Chief Information Officer

Craig is a highly accomplished IT professional with a successful track record across multiple sectors, including agriculture, education, finance, healthcare, retail, service, and technology. He has excelled in developing strategies, designing systems, managing projects, and driving operational change. With experience in multinational software companies, national health insurance organisations, prestigious universities, and private sector ventures, Craig brings a versatile skill set and leadership expertise.

After starting his career at a chartered accountant firm and establishing an Internet café, Craig went on to lead teams at a full-service design, marketing, and web agency. He also founded his own IT consultancy before joining Techion as the Development Manager. His performance led to his subsequent appointments as the Head of Analytics, Risk, and Technology, and later as Chief Information Officer. Craig's professional journey showcases his adaptability and success in diverse industries, making him a valuable asset in the IT field.

Nicola McConnell

Sales & Marketing Manager

Nicola comes to Techion with broad marketing and communication experience from leading large global FMCG teams to rolling up her sleeves in small business. With a strategic mindset and experience in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Nicola brings a global perspective to Techion that is grounded in pragmatic execution. Nicola is a collaborative and innovative team player; her marketing leadership aims to foster cross-functional partnerships and amplify Techion’s ability to deliver unparalleled customer support by creating products that meet customer needs and are delivered with outstanding communication and service.