Marree Atkinson

Marree Atkinson is the co-founder of AFT Pharmaceuticals, which she established alongside her husband, pharmacologist Dr Hartley Atkinson, in 1997. The couple started the business with $50,000 in bootstrap capital, working out of a small bedroom off their garage. As a registered nurse who previously practised at Waikato Hospital, Marree has been integral to AFT Pharmaceuticals since its founding, working across all aspects of the business including sales, regulatory affairs, customer services, and logistics. In her current role as Chief of Staff and Executive Director, she manages the day-to-day operations of AFT's head office, handling staffing requirements and overseeing special projects involving the head and affiliate offices. Under the leadership of Marree and Dr Atkinson, AFT has grown from a two-person operation to a company with 92+ staff, offices in Auckland, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur, with their painkiller Maxigesic licensed in 124 countries and sales quadrupling to over $200 million. AFT is listed on both the NZX and ASX. Marree has been an Executive Director since 4 September 2012.

Current Positions

• Chair at Financial Markets Authority (crown)
• at Vista Group International Limited (issuer)
• at Channel Infrastructure NZ Limited (issuer)
• Independent Director at Fletcher Building (issuer)
• Independent Director at Ryman Healthcare Limited (issuer)
• Chair at NZX Limited (issuer)

Education

Registered Nurse