Director
Simon Challies knows first-hand what it’s like living with Parkinson’s. He took on a directorship at the Canterbury Brain Collective because he wanted to help other people with the condition, while also utilising his extensive experience in property development and design, establishing community spaces, and understanding the needs of older people and people with health conditions.
Before joining the Canterbury Brain Collective, Simon was Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Executive of Ryman Healthcare – one of New Zealand's most successful companies on the NZX and in the health sector globally.
Simon is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, was Deloitte Top 200 Executive of the Year in 2014, INFINZ Leader for 2013 and New Zealand Shareholders’ Association Beacon Award recipient for 2011.
Simon continues to help establish and grow social and commercial enterprises. He is currently a director of Kilmarnock Enterprises, a leading Christchurch social enterprise that unlocks the potential of people with disabilities through employment and training. He is chairman of social enterprise Nutrient Rescue, and co-founder of positive storytelling project Braveheart Christchurch.
Simon believes the new Canterbury Brain Collective wellness centre will give people powerful opportunities to connect with others in the same situation. This will create positive impacts for people with neurological conditions and their families, and ultimately support people to remain independent for as long as possible, decreasing reliance on public health services.