Keynote Speakers

We are pleased to announce our keynote presenters:

Prof Michael Tipton

Professor Michael Tipton, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology, University of Portsmouth, UK

Educated at the Universities of Keele and London, Professor Tipton joined the University of Surrey in 1986. After 12 years in the Robens Institute and European Institute of Health and Medical Science he moved to the University of Portsmouth in 1998. In addition to his University positions, Professor Tipton was based at the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM) starting in 1983-2004, heading the Environmental Medicine Division form 1996. He has spent over 25 years researching and advising in the areas of thermoregulation in hot and cold and survival in the sea. He has published over 300 scientific papers, reports and book chapters in these areas. His book "Essentials of Sea Survival", co-written with Dr Frank Golden, was published in June 2002.

Professor Tipton will present a keynote and break out session during the conference.

Water Safety New Zealand would like to acknowledge Maritime New Zealand's support for bringing Professor Tipton to the 2009 New Zealand Water Safety Conference.

Geoff Barry

Geoff Barry, CEO Surf LIfe Saving New Zealand

Geoff started his career as a teacher before making the move into sports administration. For many years he undertook volunteer roles with Surf Life Saving New Zealand (as Club and Regional Chairman, NZ Board Member and NZ Coach), before joining the organisation's payroll nine years ago. For the past eight years Geoff has been the organisation's Chief Executive.

Dr Simon Mitchell

Dr Simon Mitchell, Medical Advisor, New Zealand Underwater / Consultant Anaesthetist and Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine and Health Services, University of Auckland

Simon is a physician with specialist training in diving medicine and anaesthesiology. He also completed a PhD in which he researched embolic brain injury, and is widely published in the international medical literature. He works as a consultant anaesthetist at Auckland City Hospital, and a Senior Lecturer in Anaesthesiology at the University of Auckland. Simon's diving career has included more than 6000 dives spanning sport, scientific, commercial, and military diving. He was recently a lead member of teams that were the first to dive and identify three deep wrecks of high historical significance in Australia and New Zealand. For his achievements in underwater exploration and research in diving science Simon has been made a Fellow of the Explorers' Club of New York.

Dr Teo Ho Pin

Mayor, North West District & Member of Parliament, Singapore
Dr Teo Ho Pin is an elected Member of Parliament and Mayor of the North West District in Singapore. He is also the Chairman of the National Water Safety Council, which spearheads water safety and drowning prevention initiatives in Singapore. Trained as a lifesaver, Dr Teo has been involved in life-saving activities as an instructor, examiner and adviser for more than 30 years. He is presently an adviser to the Singapore Life Saving Society and proactively promotes water safety, swimming and lifesaving in Singapore.

Darryl Parrant

Darryl Parrant
M.Mgmt (Distinction); PGDipSptMgmt; B.Ph.Ed; B.A (Educ)
Education & Management, Parrant Consultancy
People ~ Performance ~ Progress

Darryl Parrant is currently working at senior management level in a large corporation – leading the people strategy and HR functions. He has worked as a consultant and senior academic at numerous universities, institutions, and organisations within New Zealand and overseas. Darryl has extensive experience in education, management, policy and practice. His particular expertise is in improving performance, developing education-based frameworks and strategy around people through training and development initiatives.

Justin Scarr

Justin Scarr, Chief Operating Officer at Royal Life Saving Society, Australia

Justin is the International Lifesaving Federation's Child Drowning Committee Chair, and the Event Director of the next ILS Conference to be held in Danang, Vietnam in May 2011.