When MedTEC Pharma’s founders had the vision to bring cannabis to the medicinal mainstream, they knew they would need to take on a considerable mission: building a professional, pharmaceutical cannabis business from the ground up.
As close associates for over 20 years, Brad Gallard and Richard Barrett were a formidable combination of complementary strengths – Brad with extensive expertise in agribusiness and manufacturing, and Richard with health and medical industry expertise backed by 20 years of international business experience.
Together they leveraged their skills to assemble a team of leading experts and strategic partners, all with the capabilities to address the gaps in this nascent industry.
Leadership Team
Brad Gallard
Managing Director
Brad is no stranger to innovation and enterprise. He brings third generation agri-business expertise, along with his experience building and operating leading food and beverage manufacturing businesses at scale.
Brad is responsible for developing a program for the delivery of the entire supply chain, from cultivation through to manufacturing and distribution. He has provided the business with a strong foundation for scalable production and manufacturing to dedicated market specifications.
Credentials and experience
- Managing Director – Gallard Holdings (third-generation horticulture company)
- Former Board Director – Citrus Board of South Australia
- Former Board Director – Citrus Growers of SA
- Former Board Director – Renmark Irrigation Trust
Richard Willson
Non-Executive Director and Co. Secretary
Experienced, Non-Executive Director, Company Secretary and CFO with more than 20 years’ experience, predominantly within the mining, technology and agricultural sectors for both publicly listed and private companies.
Credentials and experience
- Bachelor of Accounting from the University of South Australia
- Fellow – CPA Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Non-Executive Director of Titomic Limited (ASX:TTT), AusTin Mining Limited (ASX:ANW), Thomson Resources Limited (ASX:TMZ), PNX Metals Limited (ASX:PNX), Lanyon Investment Company Limited (ASX:LAN), MedTec Pharma Limited, Amplify Equity Solutions, and Unity Housing Company Ltd; and Company Secretary of a number of ASX Listed Companies
- Chairman of the Audit Committees of Titomic Limited, AusTin Mining Limited, and Unity Housing Company
- Chairman of the Remuneration & Nomination Committee of Titomic Limited.
Richard Barrett
Non-Executive Director
Richard brings extensive capability to the building and structuring of a health and manufacturing business.
He previously led the industry cluster MedTEC South Australia, an internationally active alliance of medical technology leaders, researchers and investors. He combines this with 25 years’ experience in building international businesses and global value chain management and technology.
Richard was responsible for building MedTEC Pharma’s world-class team of industry leaders and research partners. He continues to develop these partnerships, as well as strengthen the business’s position with our stakeholders and the community.
Credentials and experience
- 25 years international experience in global value chain management, business and brand development with senior leadership in the medical technology sector
- Member – SA Government Ministerial Advisory Panel for Health and Medical Industries
- Chair – Harrison McMillan Pty Ltd
- Board Director – Vinehealth Australia
- Former Chair – MedTEC South Australia Inc.
- Former Past Vice President – Scholle Corporation
- Former Chair – Northern Adelaide Economic Development Board
Andrew Morris
Non-Executive Director
Managing Director and Practice Principal – Glyn Morris & Co Pty Ltd.
30 years’ experience in private practice accounting, servicing clients in varied industries including Agricultural, Manufacturing, Trade & Professional Services, Tech and Pharmaceutical.
Credentials and experience
- Qualified Accountant UNE
- Chartered Tax Advisor – Tax Institute of Australia.
Dirk Beelen
Chief Commercial Officer
Dirk has over 30 years experience in international pharmaceuticals and medical devices, where he has a strong track record in commercialising new and disruptive products.
He has also worked in the South Australian state government as Director of Health and Medical Industries, which has given him a comprehensive view of the cannabis industry’s evolution.
Dirk’s depth of experience has provided MedTEC Pharma with objective, measured and invaluable advice in the business’s ongoing development.
Credentials and experience
- 30 years’ experience in international pharmaceuticals and medical devices
- Past Vice President Sales & Marketing – Johnson & Johnson Europe
- Immediate Past Director – Health & Medical Industries, SA Government
- Former member – University of Adelaide Health and Biotech Advisory Board
Derek Pfitzner
Area Manager
Derek leads MedTEC Pharma’s operations in the Riverland.
His major beverage company manufacturing experience delivers exceptional capability in quality compliance and systems. Derek has extensive expertise in Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma to ensure manufacturing best practices.
Credentials and experience
- Immediate past Manufacturing Manager / Site Leader – Asahi Beverages (The Better Drinks Co)
- Played a key leadership role in establishing a fully automated fruit juice beverage plant in Regional South Australia.
- Former Production Manager / Site Leader – Charlies Group Australia
- Operations, CapEx budget management, site and team expansion from extensive experience in the establishment of systems and processes, including (HACCP, ISO9001, AS14001, ASAHI MR-GR/Lean/OES, EHS)