Paul Niven took up his role as chief executive officer of Brisbane based company Nbryo with a key focus on execution of the company’s strategic intent to develop and commercialise new technology in the bovine assisted reproduction industry.
Nbryo’s inception was a culmination of a desire to make bovine IVF more affordable and accessible, combined with an ambition to accelerate genetic change to realise the economic, social and environmental gains throughout the supply chain.
Nbryo is intent on solving some of the major challenges of the global cattle industry by bringing some of the biggest technology advancements seen in the modern era to assisted reproduction and genetic improvement.
Advanced bio-digital and robotic technologies will enable the production of low cost, high-quality embryos at scale.
Paul Niven has an extensive industry network and a track record of delivering significant outcomes, including in the startup and growth phases of businesses.
He has worked on both sides of the farm gate—as a veterinarian, operating farms and managing the businesses that supply inputs.
His background includes living and working in the UK and China, as well as four years as a management consultant for operational efficiency and change management in sectors including mining, ports, hospitals, banks, and FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) manufacturing.
Mr Niven managed the business improvement and growth for the Van Diemen’s Land Company in Tasmania in 2011, expanding the business from 20 farms with 15,000 milking cows to 25 farms with 20,000 milking cows for NZ company New Plymouth District Council.
He was also pivotal in the design, building and commissioning of a 4000-cow dairy operation on 2000ha of double cropped irrigated land in the Chinese province of Shandong for Pure Source Dairy Farms.
Mr Niven ran an independent consulting business, Cow First China, specialising in Chinese dairy farms across all parts of the dairy supply chain from raw milk production to retail.
More recently he has worked as Vice President, International Sales, for Alta Genetics servicing Europe, Africa and Oceania, based in China.
Mr Niven joins Nbryo at an inflection point – the third phase of the business’ evolution of achieving development and commercialisation plans.
He is working closely with Nbryo executive chairman and former CEO Dr Gerard Davis on commercialising the company’s new technology.
Mr Niven is looking forward to Nbryo being a major disruptor in the cattle breeding sector from an embryo perspective.
“Commercial producers can decide the genetics they want before embryos are implanted in a cow rather than waiting three to six months after calves are born, resulting in instant savings,” he said.
“I am thrilled to be working with such an innovative team who are knowledgeable, focused and driven, alongside researchers from around the globe.
“My objective is to turn the research components into a saleable and scalable program that can be distributed globally.
“It allows beef and dairy producers to use the best possible genetics for their management system and the supply chain.
“This ultimately reduces wastage, whether that is 800 cows producing the same amount of beef as 1000 cows with less capital deployed and faster growth rates.
“The processor receives either milk, meat or hides more akin to what the customer wants.
“It’s good to see an Australian driven innovation that will go global.”
Nbryo executive chairman Dr Gerard Davis said the board envisaged a leader with livestock, technology and start-up company experience.
“Paul Niven’s extensive livestock industry experience includes working in senior roles for major companies in animal health, dairy, processing and production, and most recently in animal genetics,” Dr Davis said.
“He has extensive industry networks and a track record of delivering significant outcomes including in start-up and growth phases of businesses.”
Dr Davis was announced as Nbyro’s new executive chairman on December 6, stepping up from his role as Managing Director.
He has an impressive career and strategic, technical and commercial capability, and will continue his role in the company maintaining key relationships with funding, technology and commercial partners. He will lead the board to provide strategic guidance and manage risks.
Dr Davis will continue to lead the company’s Innovation Committee, strategic engagements and drive capital raising.
Immediate past chairman and pharmaceutical entrepreneur, Euan Murdoch, will continue to influence the board towards his vision for Nbryo to deliver transformational impact for livestock producers globally. He will remain on the board with the designation of Founder director.
“The result is a primed and motivated leadership team for Nbryo grounded in its vision and strategic intent which will lead the company through a significant growth phase following a successful capital raising,” Mr Murdoch said.
Paul’s short biography can also be found here.
