ADIA Board Gains Healthcare Banking Executive

The peak business organisation representing manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to dental professionals, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), has appointed a senior healthcare banking executive to its Board. Mr Paul Freeman is Chief Executive Officer of Medfin, a division of NAB Health, and was appointed as a Director of ADIA in the past fortnight.

"It's a genuine pleasure to have been asked to join the Board of an organisation that has a clear strategic vision, enjoys strong support by the business sector it represents and is backed by a highly professional national office," Mr Freeman said.

Mr Freeman's banking experience includes time with Barclays before joining the NAB's asset finance division in 1993. Internal promotions saw Mr Freeman gain offshore experience and hold several positions including Head of Capability at NAB Business Banking before continuing to Chief Executive Officer at Medfin in August 2012.

"We welcome Paul to the Board and look forward to the contribution that he can make, particularly in ensuring that ADIA's strong financial position continues to support members and that the Association is sustainable over the long term," said Mike Covey, ADIA National President.

The appointment to the Board continues Mr Freeman's contribution to the development of ADIA, having previously served as Chair of the industry steering committee for the Australian Dental Industry Intelligence Report that is recognised as the nation's leading independent analysis on sales of dental products in Australia.

ADIA was founded in 1925 and for a long while operated as an incorporated association under state law. Recognising that this structure was no longer suitable for a growing organisation with a truly national footprint, the ADIA Board worked with membership to put in place a new legal structure, a company limited by guarantee, in early 2014.

"One of the things that made this appointment so attractive was the emphasis current Directors have on ensuring that ADIA's structure and operations reflect contemporary corporate governance thinking. The level of professionalism across the organisation serves as a model for the not-for-profit sector," Mr Freeman said.

Mr Freeman's appointment ends in late 2016 whereupon he will be eligible for reappointment.

ADIA Introduction

The Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) is the peak business organisation representing manufacturers and suppliers of quality dental products. Founded in 1925, the Association has grown to include the businesses that supply around 98% of the products used by dentists and allied oral healthcare professionals.

Primary areas of activity for ADIA include making a positive contribution to the policy debate on matters including business taxation, workplace relations, international trade, therapeutic product regulation and workplace health and safety. ADIA is affiliated with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the nation's foremost grouping of employer organisations. Recognised as an authoritative source of advice on product regulation, ADIA works at a departmental and parliamentary level to ensure that the regulatory framework for dental products is based on a risk management approach designed to ensure public health and safety, while at the same time freeing industry from any unnecessary regulatory burden.

Member services include the ADX Sydney dental exhibition, Australia's largest healthcare trade show. The Association publishes statistics on the sales of dental products and undertakes surveys to provide guidance on current and expected business conditions.