Naske appointed the new chief at Rua Bioscience

TAKING THE REINS: Paul Naske has gone from chief operations officer to chief commercial officer and now chief executive officer at Rua Bioscience. Picture supplied

Medicinal cannabis company Rua Bioscience has appointed Paul Naske as chief executive officer.

Interim managing director Anna Stove will return to chair the Rua board as Trevor Burt announces his retirement.

Mr Naske, who will start in his new role from March 1, is a stalwart of the company, recruited by Rua's cofounders in 2019.

In that time, he has substantially progressed Rua's global and New Zealand business goals as chief operations officer and more recently as chief commercial officer.

Mr Naske oversaw the construction of Rua's two research and development facilities in Mangaoporo and Gisborne.

He supported the team through the GMP (good manufacturing practice) process and was instrumental in navigating the regulatory environment within which Rua launched its first product for New Zealand patients.

He brings a strong background in science and general management, having worked in a diverse range of industries including roading, construction and agribusiness.

Before joining Rua, Mr Naske was general manager at Corson Grain, with a focus on increasing the profitability of the Asia-Pacific business base.

Before that, he spent 14 years within the Fletcher Challenge group of companies as general manager of CSP Pacific — a business unit of Fletcher Building specialising in roading and construction.

“I'm incredibly proud to take the lead at Rua as we enter an exciting new phase of commercialisation,” Mr Naske said.

“It's an honour to lead a team dedicated to improved patient health and with a strong commitment to social enterprise.

Mr Burt said he was pleased that Rua's internal succession plan had ensured Mr Naske's promotion as the company built market presence in dynamic domestic and global environments.

“Paul has proven himself to be an experienced and multi-disciplined executive with intimate knowledge of our business and the industry. He understands how to maximise global opportunities.

“I've been particularly impressed by Paul's ability to provide visible leadership and foster an approach that is patient-focused and aligned with our values,” he said.

Ms Stove succeeds Mr Burt, who was appointed in 2019 but is retiring due to ill health.

“It's been an honour and a privilege to lead a tenacious Rua team in what has been an incredibly challenging business environment. I'm sorry to depart, and know I leave the company in great hands and well-positioned to execute its global strategy.”

Ms Stove said Mr Burt had displayed incredible leadership.

“His extensive corporate executive and governance experience was invaluable as we built a diversified and resilient business.

“I look forward to working closely with Paul as we build a focused strategy that ensures sustainable success.

“We are now poised for accelerated global growth.”