Our Board
Alex Black
Chief Executive Officer
Alex is passionate about making science easier for researchers and educators around the world by providing easy to use, high-quality software, and hardware. Fascinated by science and technology from a young age, Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Otago. Alex started his career as a web developer working on large eCommerce projects but later returned to university to study Marketing Management. Alex ran his own successful digital marketing agency before joining ADInstruments in 2014. Alex was previously the Head of Marketing, before taking on the CEO role in 2020.
Alex is an industry advisor and guest lecturer at the University of Otago School of Business and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Originally from the UK, Alex has traveled extensively around the world and is now proud to call Dunedin, New Zealand home.
Michael Macknight
Co-founder, Director
Michael first developed his concept for a computer-based data acquisition system in 1985, as part of his Bachelor of Science degree. Over the past 30 years, Michael has been integral to the development of ADInstruments products and to the international expansion of the company. Today, Michael continues be involved in innovation and new product releases from the company's office in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Michael holds a BSc (Physics) and an MSc (Computer Science) from Otago University. In 2015, Michael was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science.
Professor Tony Macknight
Co-founder, Director of Education
Professor Tony Macknight’s distinguished career has included postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School and appointment as Professor of Physiology at the University of Otago. Tony was aware of life science's need for an improved method of recording and analyzing physiological signals and was integral to his son Michael's development of PowerLab data acquisition and analysis systems.
Now retired from fulltime teaching and research, Tony travels internationally to consult about the company's products with leading life science researchers, educators and ADInstruments staff.
13 July 2022.
It is with great sadness that the team at ADInstruments must announce the passing of our co-founder and Director of Education, Emeritus Professor Tony Macknight, MD, PhD, FRSNZ. An esteemed physiologist, Tony’s kindness, generosity of spirit and passion for physiology inspired and supported educators and researchers around the globe. He will be greatly missed.
Stuart McLauchlan
Chairman
Stuart is a highly respected director and chairman and sits on the Board of a number of New Zealand companies. He is a chartered accountant, senior partner of GS McLauchlan & Co, and a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. Stuart is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Past President.
Currently he is chairman of Scott Technology Ltd, PHARMAC, UDC Finance Ltd and Dunedin International Airport Ltd, as well as being a director of Ngai Tahu Tourism Ltd and a number of private companies. He is also Pro-Chancellor of the University of Otago and Governor of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
BCOM, FCA (PP), AFInstD.
John Judge
Director
John Judge has extensive experience in Australasian business and brings financial and analytical knowledge to the Board. His career includes various roles within Ernst & Young culminating in the position of Chief Executive of Ernst & Young New Zealand. He is current chairman of ANZ Bank New Zealand, Biotelliga and the Auckland Arts Festival Trust; a director of Fletcher Building Industries and The New Zealand Initiative, and a member of the Otago Business School Advisory Board.
BCom, FCA, MPP, FInstD.