Our Executive Leadership Team

GNS is managed by an Executive Team reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

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Chelydra Percy

Chief Executive

  • Chelydra Percy is the Chief Executive of GNS Science...

    Chelydra joined GNS in May 2023, after nine years as Group Chief Executive of BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand). In that role, Chelydra oversaw both divisions of the organisation – BRANZ Inc and BRANZ Limited – as well as the subsidiary of BRANZ which operates out of Australia. She led a team of over 130 people, including 12 direct reports.

    Chelydra’s career has seen her work with a range of technology, education, and research organisations over the last 25 years, nationally and internationally. She has significant experience in the CRI sector, having held senior roles at Callaghan Innovation, AgResearch, and Scion. She has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington.

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Peter Benfell

General Manager Science

  • Peter has had more than 30 years’ experience in research, science and technology...

    Peter re-joined GNS Science in October 2018 as General Manager, Science.

    He is responsible for the leadership and management of our business services teams including property & facilities, information services & technology, finance, legal, planning & reporting, risk & assurance, and the project management office. Peter has had more than 30 years’ experience in research, science and technology and its successful application, as well as in establishing several major Research and Development partnerships. He previously worked at GNS Science as Group Manager, Environment and Natural Resources Group between 1998 and 2001.

    Prior to re-joining GNS Science, Peter was Chief Executive at the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation, Connexis. Peter has held senior management roles at the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, AgResearch, and Opus International.

    BE (Hons), University of Auckland; DipBusAdmin, Victoria University of Wellington

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Kaetrin Stephenson

General Manager Business Services

  • Kaetrin Stephenson is GNS’ GM of Business Services and CFO

    Kaetrin came to GNS Science from BRANZ where she held the role of GM Corporate Services / CFO. She has over 20 years of executive leadership experience across a broad range of listed (NZX and FTSE), private, not-for-profit and public benefit organisations in New Zealand and the UK. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) and Associate Member of the Institute of Directors.

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Trish Casey

General Manager People and Culture

  • Trish is responsible for the people-centric functions of HR and Health & Safety along with key organisation enablers Communications, Administration and Stakeholder Relations.

    Trish came to GNS from Nelson Marlborough District Health Board where she held the role of GM People & Capability. She has over 20 years’ experience in executive leadership across industries in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in both New Zealand and Australia. She has a Master of Management from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management. At GNS, Trish is responsible for the people-centric functions of HR and Health & Safety along with key organisation enablers Communications, Administration and Stakeholder Relations.

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Tania Gerrard

General Manager Māori and Stakeholder Relations

  • Tania is leading GNS Science through a period of transformative change...

    Te Whanau a Tāpuhi, Ngāti Porou

    Tania joined GNS Science in November 2018. She is responsible for the development and management of our external relationships and partnerships, including with government, iwi/Māori and industry. Tania’s role recognises the interconnectedness of the science system and her team is keenly focused on the benefits our research must deliver to both end users and New Zealand communities.

    Tania is leading GNS Science through a period of transformative change, creating a new Māori Strategy. This will guide our long-term approach to iwi/Māori research and innovation, workforce development, and partner, industry and community engagement. Linked to this is the rollout of the organisation’s new Stakeholder Relationship Strategy and its continued Vision Mātauranga activities. 

    Prior to joining GNS Science, Tania was Acting Director of Water at the Ministry for the Environment. Here she also held roles specialising in iwi rights and interests, and water rights and interests. She has also held senior roles at the Waitangi Tribunal, the Office of Treaty Settlements, and Ministry for Primary Industries/Fisheries.

    Tania is currently the Chair of Te Ara Pūtaiao, the pan-Crown Research Institute Māori Leadership Group, and she is an Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

    BA, University of Otago

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