Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited (NZSX:FPH, ASX:FPH) announced today that it has selected Nicky Bell as its second participant in the Future Directors programme.

Ms Bell is currently CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, which she joined in 2010 after 10 years in New York as a Worldwide Managing Director at Ogilvy across many iconic brands. She is also a board member of the Communication Agencies Association of New Zealand, the Middlemore Foundation for Health Innovation, a member of the Global Women organisation and is an alumni of the Stanford University Graduate Business School.

This is the second appointment by the company under the Future Directors programme, following the very successful “Future Directorship” of Franceska Banga over the past year.

The Future Directors programme is run by the Institute of Directors and exposes talented executives with an interest in governance to a company board for a year. Founded in 2013 by Sir Stephen Tindall, Michael Stiassny (President, Institute of Directors) and Des Hunt (New Zealand Shareholders Association), the initiative is aimed at developing the next generation of New Zealand governance talent. Participants in the programme are assigned a mentor and attend board meetings where they participate in discussions, but are not involved in decision making.

Tony Carter, Chairman of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare said, “The Future Directors programme is an excellent initiative and we are committed to supporting up and coming directors. The company has benefited from the significant contribution Franceska has made over the past year and we are looking forward to Nicky contributing to our board discussions in 2016. We believe her experience with many global brands will be a real asset.”

Ms Bell is excited by the opportunity to contribute to the company and is looking forward to bringing her international experience to the board. Ms Bell said, “Participating in this programme with a board and company of the calibre of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and within an industry that I’m passionate about is a fantastic opportunity. I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Ms Bell will take up her role with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare on 1 February 2016 for a 12 month term.