Richard Thurlow

Richard Thurlow has a strong background in the healthcare industry with a focus on hospice and palliative care. Richard served as the CEO of Waipuna Hospice starting in 2008. In addition to their role at Waipuna Hospice, Thurlow has held various leadership positions in related organizations, including Chairman of Hospice New Zealand from 2018 to 2021 and Chairman of the Midland Palliative Care Workgroup from 2011 to 2018. Richard also served as a Board Member for Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, Hospice New Zealand, NZ PalCare User Group, and the Palliative Care Advisory Group. Prior to their hospice work, Thurlow had a successful career in pharmaceutical research, serving as a Senior Principle Scientist at Pfizer from 1995 to 2005. Richard also worked as a PostDoctoral Fellow at the Glaxo Institute of Applied Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge in 1994.

Richard Thurlow earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry with Pharmacology from the University of Southampton from 1987 to 1991. Richard then pursued further studies at the University of Cambridge, where they completed an MPhil in Pharmacology from 1991 to 1992. Richard also obtained a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Cambridge from 1992 to 1994. In addition to their formal education, they have obtained certifications such as a Chartered Member Assessment and a Company Directors Course from the Institute of Directors in New Zealand in 2018, as well as a Dale Carnegie Course from Dale Carnegie Training in 2009.