Shaun Coffey, the retiring CEO of Industrial Research Ltd (IRL), has congratulated the newly-announced directors of Callaghan Innovation on their appointments.

“This initiative is extremely important for New Zealand”, Coffey said, “and industry will be looking to the Board to set an ambitious agenda.”

Coffey re-confirmed his announcement of last November that he saw the creation of Callaghan Innovation as a logical time to step down and pursue other interests.

“I have led IRL for nearly seven years, and have laid the ground work for a successful transition into the new organisation," he said.

"It is now an appropriate time for others to drive the next stage of the journey.”

Coffey said he was proud of the achievements of IRL under his watch, especially the way staff had not just embraced the purpose of working with industry, but had worked diligently to re-build IRL as a premier technology enterprise.

“Callaghan Innovation will inherit an IRL that is strong and vibrant; and ready to play a major role in the new organisation, he said.