Cann Group has announced that chairman Allan McCallum will step down from the board in Q1 FY24, with non-executive director Dr Julian Chick taking on the role of deputy chairman effective immediately.
McCallum, who has been with Cann for nine years, said the company must keep developing as it enters a more commercially oriented phase.
"As the business scales production and continues the transition to a commercial focus in specialised and highly regulated markets, it is important that we have the expertise and experience at management and board level to support the growth strategy," he said.
"The capabilities of our new management team are closely aligned with the needs of the business and Julian's appointment signals that we will continue that renewal process at board level.
“The company is in a great position and in good hands for the future.”
Dr Chick brings experience across the biotechnology, medical technology and investment banking sectors and joined the Cann board in October 2022. Paying tribute to McCallum's contribution, he said: “This is a pivotal time in Cann’s growth journey. We have laid the foundations with the state-of-the-art Mildura GMP facility and we are now focused on accelerating the scaling of production and commercialisation.
“I look forward to continuing to support the company through this important transition point and I’m confident that we have the skill-set both at management and board level to support the business’s evolving needs.”
Medcan
Medcan has revealed that more than 5,000 patients have accessed medicinal cannabis through its compassionate access program since the initiative began in 2020.
Run through clinic network Cann I Help, the program offers eligible patients product subsidies of up to 50%, and has provided A$1.6 million in funding to patients over the past three years.
Medcan co-founder Gareth Ball said: “We don’t want any patients to be unable to access medicinal cannabis on cost grounds.
“The compassionate access program is our way of offering a helping hand and it makes a significant difference to so many people’s lives.”
AusCann
Brett Mitchell, the former chairman of MGC Pharmaceuticals, has joined the AusCann board as an independent non-executive director.
Mitchell has played a role in founding, financing and managing a number of companies across the tech and life sciences sectors, among them MGC and Levin Health.
His arrival on the board has coincided with the departure of Chris Mews from the executive director position, though Mews will continue in his role as the company's chief financial officer.
AusCann said Mitchell's appointment adds corporate experience in medicinal cannabis to the company's board.
